The Mets somewhat addressed their need in center field last week when they acquired Jake Marisnick from the Astros, but they may not be done yet. New York remains in the mix to swing a trade for Pirates center fielder Starling Marte, per reports from Andy Martino of SNY and Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The club’s “working on” a Marte acquisition, according to Martino.
As one of the most valuable center fielders in baseball, Marte’s appeal is obvious. The fact that there’s a dearth of proven center fielders available in free agency should only add to his attractiveness on the trade market. He’s under control at more-than-reasonable prices for the next two seasons (including for a guaranteed $11.5MM in 2020 and a $12.5MM club option in ’21), so the Pirates don’t have to deal him. However, considering they appear unlikely to push for a playoff spot next season, there’s a case that it would make sense for the Bucs to sell off the 31-year-old this winter. For his part, new general manager Ben Cherington is reportedly open to fielding offers for Marte.
Should the Mets end up with Marte, it would add to an already crowded group of outfield-capable players for the team. Marisnick, Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis and Yoenis Cespedes (if he returns from injury) are on hand as prominent players who have lined up in the grass. However, the Mets are “open” to parting with Nimmo to somewhat alleviate the logjam, per Martino. They shouldn’t have a tough time finding a taker for the 26-year-old, as he’s a quality major league hitter with three seasons of control remaining and is only projected to earn $1.7MM in 2020.
Outfield is fine as is. Spend the money on pitching.
The Mets defense is awful. Not that Marte helps if he’s in CF. But the Mets need a lot of help in multiple areas if they plan on competing with the Braves, Phillies, and Nats.
Degrom, Thor, Stroman, Matz is still one of the better rotations in the league. I’m sure Diaz will be better next year. Bullpen can be improved, I agree.
Agreed Marte should not be looked at as a CF, but hes an elite corner OF with an elite arm.
Seems Nimmo for Marte is a good start, but absolutely need more than that.
He had over 80 DRS in left field. Any team looking to acquire him should see him as a LF than CF.
Nimmo has already outplayed Marte….who is older, more expensive, and oh yeah…had a PEDs suspension already. Of course, the Mets traded for Cano, who is all of those things…AND WORSE. The Mets are really fighting to be the worst front office in baseball.
I read that Nimmo is in play. If the Mets are building a package around Nimmo, I would have to imagine that they would have to add Andres Gimenez, Francisco Alvarez, David Peterson & maybe a Jordan Humphries to get this trade done. I’m surprised the Pirates aren’t asking for J.D. Davis, who has more years of control but now that I say that, they have made it known that they covet a young catcher and that’s Alvarez. Maybe the Mets countered them & said if you really want Alvarez then we have to take Davis off the table & replace him with either Nimmo or Smith.
its probably because JD Davis is a DH playing the field, and the Pirates already have one of those in Bell
Maybe but Davis’s bat plays and has 5 years of control. I’ve also heard that the Pirates are in full rebuild mode and looking to trade Josh Bell as well. Wondering if the Mets deal will be Nimmo, Dom Smith & a prospect or tow for Marte.
Anyone can cover RF at PNC.. Gerrit Jones did it all year on a wildcard team.
Would like to see that RF utilized on a power bat like Davis, Smith or (Clint Frazier of the yanks).
True
You want Nimmo and four other prospects for Marte? If BVW does that, he needs his head examined. A healthy Nimmo is potentially as good as 31 year old Marte and is a helluva lot cheaper.
Seriously?? Marte is a 5 tool player. The only problem with him is his lower OBP. Nimmo is a 4th outfielder on most teams.
Nimmo would be a starter on almost any team. His career OPS+ is the same as the highest Marte has ever put up.
5 tools? Marte’s defense is declining and his career high in HRs is 23 and was last year when practically every hitter in baseball hit 20+ HR.
Marte is a good player, but two years of him at a total of $25 million is not worth much more than four cheaper years of Nimmo. To add in four additional players is insanity.
lol hes a starter on most teams. so ridiculous
There are over ten teams in the market for OF help and Marte is one of the top OFers available. If the Mets or any team plan to acquire Marte it is going to be for pieces the fan base will not be happy about loosing.
This would be an overpay for Betts. Sheesh.
I can’t see the Mets giving up that many prospects just for Marte. The Pirates do want to unload salary, though. In comments a week or two back here, I discussed with someone the possibility of Matz and Nimmo for Marte, Archer and Kela. I think Pirates want MLB level controllable talent. My son was not happy with the idea of getting Archer, but he does have a live arm if his mechanics can be corrected.
Your drunk 2 Mets for 3 Pirates lol. I seen some good ones, but this one is tops.
Marte would be a great acquisition. Nimmo and Gimenez would be a good start plus maybe Sanchez, not fond of dealing Alvarez.
Nimmo’s worth almost as much as Marte by himself. You all are seriously overestimating Marte’s value. He’s 31, Two years of control for $25m,defense is declining (somewhat questionable whether he’s a CF any longer), and he’s a good not great hitter. Nimmo is early-arb and super cheap, with an all-star quality season under his belt (400 freakin’ OBP!) an an injured 2019. Pirates get maybe a B prospect on top if that’s the proposed deal. More likely Nimmo is dealt seperately for pitching.
Thank you. Some sanity in the comments. Marte is a fine player, but everyone in these comments is seriously overvaluing him.
I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you…
……”Nimmo’s worth almost as much as Marte by himself”….Nimmo is a glorified AAAA player, who has only ONCE gotten more than 200 at bats, in a major league season………Nimmo does seem able to draw his share of walks, but I would expect that to change, IF he is exposed to full time pitching… Nimmo plays a half decent CF and if he was as good as you suggest, the Mets would really have no need to acquire a true CF…
“but I would expect that to change, IF he is exposed to full time pitching”
He has over 1,000 PAs in his career and owns a .387 OBP. How much more ‘exposure’ does he need? And his injury last year was a freak neck injury.
Are you aware that you can look this stuff up in a matter of minutes? You don’t need to look so foolish when talking about Nimmo.
in 2018 Nimmo had well over 500 PA with an .886 OPS.
And he was 7th in all of baseball in OPS+ that year with 148.. His OBP over 150 games was .404 – good for 4th in baseball ..
He was also a monster last year after coming back from a misdiagnosed and comically mistreated injury..
The idea that he is a AAAA player or a 4th outfielder is absurd.
Then I suggest NY keep him if he’s that good. Pirates will look to get maximum value rather trying to fill any holes. I like Nimmo but don’t see him as center piece in Marte trade when there are several teams with a need for CF with much deeper farms. With 3 yrs control Nimmo is a free agent by time the Pirates are any good.
Then why are the Mets wanting Marte in a trade if they already have Nimmo who is better and cheaper? How many more players should the Pirates have to send w/ Marte to land Nimmo?
Would love to see the Cardinals swing a deal for Nimmo. He’s the left-handed bat Mo is looking for, plus he gets on base.
*Conforto
This just in…The Mets still SU*K!
Trading Nimmo would be so freaking stupid but so Mets
trading nimmo would be a travesty. But BVW is a neophyte and wants to be fired. That would be the most mets thing to do
Nimmo,Smith,Gimenez,Gsellman and Humphreys for Marte,Kela and a prospect
Does this get it done?
I’d take it.
garbage
Didn’t see Kela too at first lol
Kela roo much? Im not familiar with your bullpen. Is there another young arm in the pen you would be comfortable with?
Gsellman isnt that bad…
I felt Kela was a fair ask…
What does this even mean?: “As one of the most valuable center fielders in baseball, Marte’s appeal is obvious.” With statements like this nothing is obvious. Perhaps the writer can take a moment to inform us what makes him “one of the most valuable center fielders in baseball.”
Perhaps the writer assumes the audience of a site dedicated to baseball watches baseball games, and inherently understands why Marte is valuable. I assumed it was obvious.
Marte is a decent player, not elite and is certainly one of the most AVAILABLE “valuable” Center Fielders in the game…..
Trade him to Atlanta! Let him play LF! Come on AA this is a WAY better option then Ozuna.
Let Marte play CF, get Ozuna for LF and let Riley play 3B.
“the cano/diaz trade was one of the worst in history”
BVW: hold my beer
Lowrie, gimenez, dom smith, Peterson, kilome for marte and archer
do it
Thanks for the laugh.
Would you do deGrom for Moran, Kuhl and Osuna?
Since we’re talking utter nonsense.
I’d trade degrom for Mackenzie gore and 2 top 10’s from the padres.
Trading nimmo would be idiotic and damaging if it was for marte
Marte and archer for Davis lowrie gimenez and catching prospect.
Marte would be huge upgrade over marisnick.
Archer even if never gets to old form will be a very solid 5th starter.
Davis has no fit besides bench player on mets because mcneil playing 3rd and nimmo conforto corner oitfield.
Lowrie sheds contract and pirates would take him because getting 5 years of control of davis.
They also need a a catching prospect.
Gimenez has potential but so do all prospects.
I would do this trade for both sides
If Nimmo goes I think that restarts the Santa Curse!
Brandon Nimmo does have a propensity to get his share of walks, but is most certainly NOT a “quality major league hitter” and that is why the Mets are interested in pawning him off to a team that thinks that he is……Nimmo is a slightly above average athlete and a AAAA player at best..
His 127 OPS+ (and myriad other stats) even with last season’s numbers, when he was beset with a neck injury, absolutely says that he’s a quality major league hitter. With absurd ignorance like that, I’m glad you aren’t anywhere near the Mets scouting division.
Nimmo is basically a part time player, who has only ONCE taken even 200 abs in a given season…..If and when he is exposed to FULL TIME play, then we will see the AAAA that he truly is……Nimmo plays a decent Outfield and does get on base, and if he truly was a “quality major league hitter”, than I doubt the Mets would have needed to acquire Jake Marisnick, who will most likely play CF ahead of Nimmo…..Jake Marisnick is a better all around player than Brandon Nimmo and even he, is a stretch to call a “quality major league hitter”.
he played full time in 2018 and had 400 obp. Go back under your rock. lol have no clue what you’re talking about
That’s just straight up trolling because no one could be so obtuse otherwise. I’d love to read your missives about how you probably think Trout is over-rated and is just a glorified Jacoby Ellsbury.
you have very little baseball knowledge with that thought process
I in my opinion a offer of 2 top 15 prospects and maybe two lower prospects are he’s worth or one mlb player plus two top 20 are good enough. Pirates need 3rd basemen an outfielder and a pitcher back. Catcher is a need a lot if u don’t get a catcher back or a pitcher that’s a top two prospect I don’t deal him.
Pirates don’t need a 3rd baseman ..? Make another offer or find out what your talking about !
So to alleviate the OF logjam they trade Nimmo for another OF?
I still don’t get it. What did they get Marisnick for? To include him in another deal? McNeil will play in the infield, and jD Davis would be odd man out along with Dom Smirh.
Smith, Sorry.
They need bullpen help and not from the Pirates.
Marisnick was acquired to be a defense first OF off the bench.
He replaces Lagares.
Nimmo….if he reaches his full potential is a .280 100R 20HR 75RBI 15SB .375OBP .450SLG.
Id keep that over Marte….but Marte is consistent.
Trading Nimmo for Marte would be nuts.
I do not see why the Pirates would trade for Nimmo when he only has 3 years of control left. In reality 2022 may be the 1st year of their next contention window. Nimmo may be a suitable OFer for a rebuilding team but I doubt the Pirates trade waste Marte’s trade capitol on pieces that don’t fit their plans.
It makes sense… he’s extremely good and extremely cheap. If he is healthy next year and performs up to the expected level then you have an incredibly valuable trade chip which could be flipped for a handsome prospect package.
That is a risk but Nimmo could get hurt again or perform poorly and I still fail to see why the Pirates would waste Marte’s trade capital on a risk when they can get the pieces they need for now by trading Marte.
Any player can get hurt. He had a freak injury that lingered because the Mets’ training staff have been consistently bad over the years managing injuries. If you look at Nimmo’s full body of work in the high minors and majors, he has been a great hitter and adequate to good fielder. He only moved to CF in the majors, but he has been servicable because of his bat. His OBP is elite and he is under control for 3 more years for peanuts. I wouldn’t trade him straight up for an older, PEDs busted, worse defending (based on last year) Marte who is going to cost $25m over the next two years.
But that doesn’t make Nimmo is WHAT the Pirates need. They can get better long term pieces over a “hopeful” turn around and then trade away next year. Logically, it doesn’t make sense for the Pirates to accept Nimmo unless Mets throw in Alvarez and another piece. Nimmo and a mid-grade prospect will not get a deal done. Catching is Pirates biggest priority in a Marte trade. Alvarez is needed to even have the Pirates think about it.
Pirates would take Nimmo and prospects — but this is just another Mets smoke screen to make the fans think something will happen — Mets dont have the payroll room to do the deal — they need a 5th starter so there goes any $$$$ available
We all know this is not happening
Nimmo has very serious upside potential. I could see him breaking out and becoming a substantial contributor. Let’s see how this plays out!
nimmmo as a headline would be a mistake. with just three years left and only one full season in…. without alvarez any talks should be put on the burner.
Van Waganen has a few routes he can take..
$17.9mil was designated for Wheeler with the qualifying offer….
Get Marte at $12.5…
Maybe sign Treinen ….take a shot at Bentances…
Sign Teheran,Nova or Miley as a 5th starter
Lugo stays in pen
Or he could Use Lugo as the 5th..
Trade Davis,Smith,Gsellman and Gimenez for Hader and prospects…
Sign Ozuna…maybe 4yr/$78mil
Defensive metrics say bad things about Marte’s defense.
And in doing so, they prove what most alert people already know….defensive metrics are bunk.
Marte is an elite defender…as long as he’s paying attention.
That is incorrect. He is more suitable for LF. CF is his for now.
Your ‘eye test’ is superior to defensive metrics? Interesting.
Nimmo, Nido and a lower level minor league P for Marte should get it done.
Well, if they’re foolish, sure. But Nimmo’s already the better player, has had the best year between them from 2017-2019, was just as valuable over the last two years, and will be far more valuable during their respective years of team control.
And you want to throw in Nido plus, for the privilege of adding 10m in salary?
Brodie–is that you?!
These comments are ridiculous on so many fronts.
1) Marte’s defense in CF is solid, his arm is elite and any perceived recent decline in defensive rating is partially due to his placement in CF (see McCutchen circa 2017).
2) If the Mets acquire Marte, why wouldn’t they keep Nimmo and field an OF of Nimmo, Marte and Conforto, especially given all of the Mets fans’ praise for Nimmo’s abilities?
3) The NL does not have a DH and the Pirates arguably have 2 of them already on their team with Moran and Bell. While Smith and Davis are intriguing bats with value, they hold very little appeal for the Pirates (of course, unless they can play an adequate 1B and Bell is moved). Still, the Pirates have Will Craig in AAA for 1B and Ke’Bryan Hayes will be the cornerstone at 3B for the next 6 years.
4) The Pirates should be looking at acquiring the best talent they can in return for Marte at the following positions (in order of importance): SP, C and OF. Names like Allan, Alvarez and Peterson make much more sense than Nimmo, Smith and Davis.
Let’s hope BC doesn’t recreate the Cole trade all over again by acquiring major-league ready pieces with little upside. The Pirates need talent at all levels and those that fit within the framework of the organization’s future.
I think the point with Nimmo is the speculation that the Mets could include him in the trade for Marte.
I think the point with Nimmo is the speculation that the Pirates see him as apiece that fits the teams future framework of building a contender..
Bucs fans don’t see him as such.
Marte to Mets,. Its official for Nimmo and Alvarez.
My trade proposal is Nimmo, Smith, Peterson,Lowrie.and Familia for Keone Kela and either Adam Frazier or Marte