Three Potential Trade Destinations for Starling Marte

The Mets outfield is crowded for the 2025 season. And it seems like Starling Marte is the odd man out.

According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Mets attempted to trade Marte in December to the Royals for reliever Hunter Harvey. The club was also willing to eat some of Marte’s contract, but the deal fell through.

In the article, Ragazzo stated that the Mets viewed Marte as a valuable asset to their lineup heading into next season, especially with the possibility of Pete Alonso signing elsewhere.

Marte slashed .269/.327/.388 with 40 RBI in 94 games in 2024, but impressed in the National League Championship Series with a .333/.357/.481 line.

The 36-year-old can still swing the stick. And would be helpful to the Mets if he stayed on the roster. But the Mets outfield is crowded after the signing of Juan Soto and Jesse Winker, and Marte profiles more of a DH after he registered negative eight outs above average in 94 games.

The Mets roster still needs help around the edges. Below I highlighted three teams that could link with the Mets for a Marte trade.

Pirates

Reunions are fun? Right?

The Pirates are on the cusp of competing for the first time since 2015, and they desperately need help in their lineup. Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and Andrew McCutchen were the only batters to club 2o homers, and no batter in their lineup registered a .800 OPS. Yikes.

Marte would be a beneficial boost to their lineup. And a fun story. Marte spent the first eight years of his career in Pittsburgh, helping the Buccos make the postseason three times and making an All-Star team in 2016.

Plus, the Pirates outfield needs help. Michael A. Taylor and Bryan De La Cruz posted OPSs below .600, with Taylor even batting below the Mendoza line. If healthy, Marte could slot at the top of the Pirates lineup and help their young rotation push for a Wild Card spot.

*Editor Note: Josh Fleming was changed for Joey Wentz, as Fleming is now in the Mariners organization.

Trade: 

Pirates receive: Starling Marte and $10.4 million

Mets receive: Joey Wentz

Orioles

The Orioles offense struggled down the stretch in 2024. The team posted a .691 OPS in August and mediocre .714 OPS in September, failing to catch the Yankees for the American League East title and then scoring only one run in two games against the Royals in the Wild Card round.

It wasn’t a pretty end. And entering 2025, the offense is presumably losing Anthony Santander, who led the team in homers (44) and RBIs (102), plus was second in OPS behind Gunnar Henderson.

Even with the youth revolution in Baltimore, the Orioles could use another bat. Especially an outfielder. Marte could become a platoon counterpart for Heston Kjerstad, something the Orioles were already doing when they tried Eloy Jiménez last season.

Trade

Baltimore receives: Starling Marte

Mets receive: Brandon Young (O’s No. 18 prospect)

Mariners

The worst-kept secret this offseason is the Mariners’ wish to move Luis Castillo.

Whether or not they act upon it is up in the air. Like the Pirates, the M’s want to improve their major league offense to support their staff of superstars. Marte fits that narrative.

Seattle’s offense, as well as their right fielders, was subpar last season. Julio Rodriguez struggled the majority of the year, but finished strong to post a 116 OPS+ season with 20 homers. Randy Arozarena was also brought in, but his bat wasn’t enough to push the Mariners into a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Mitch Haniger was brought back to help in the lineup, but the 33-year-old had a poor season, registering -0.2 bWAR while slashing .208/.286/.334 in 121 games.

The M’s need help in their offense, and Marte would instantly impact their overall numbers. The organization slashed .213/.300/.363 against left-handed pitching, which Marte pulverized in 2024 (.310/.384/.460).

Trade

Mariners receive: Starling Marte, Jeff McNeil, Ronny Mauricio, Tylor Megill, $26.2 million

Mets receive: Luis Castillo, Trent Thornton 

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