The Pirates will listen to offers on center fielder Starling Marte, although to this point there’s no traction toward any sort of a trade, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets. That Marte would be available with two years of club control remaining comes as no surprise. If anything, prior suggestions that he wouldn’t be moved this winter (which came under the previous front office regime) were more unexpected. Marte himself has since even gone on record to state that he’d be open to being dealt to a contending club.
The $24MM Marte can earn over the next two seasons — $11.5MM salary in 2020, $12.5MM option for 2021 — is an expensive sum for the perennially low-spending Pirates but an affordable rate for many others throughout the league. The Pittsburgh organization also just overhauled its front office and field staff on the heels of a disastrous 93-loss season and doesn’t seem likely to contend in 2020. Listening on Marte is to be expected, which is why he checked in near the top of MLBTR’s most recent inventory of baseball’s top trade candidates. The Pirates, Heyman notes, would like to add a high-end catching prospect by some means this winter (although they’ll have other players to market beyond Marte).
There’s every reason to think that interest in Marte will be robust in the coming weeks (or possibly months). The best center fielders in free agency are Brett Gardner, who seems likely to return to the Yankees, and a wild card option in Japanese star Shogo Akiyama. Other trade candidates could certainly crop up on the market, but few would be able to match Marte’s level of production and relatively affordable control.
Marte will play the entire 2020 season at age 31 and is fresh off a .295/.342/.503 batting line with a career-high 23 home runs. Obligatory juiced ball caveat aside, Marte also swatted 20 long balls a year prior. Skeptics surely questioned his true offensive abilities (and perhaps still do) following 2017’s 80-game PED ban, but Marte has posted a strong .285/.336/.462 batting line in 1472 plate appearances since returning from suspension that July.
He may not quite be a superstar-level performer at the plate, but Marte has demonstrated that he’s clearly a quality hitter at a premium defensive position. He was 19 to 20 percent better than a league-average hitter in 2019 by measure of park- and league-adjusted metrics like wRC+ (119) and OPS+ (120). That’s particularly impressive when considering that center fielders, as a collective group, hit five percent worse than the league average in 2019 (95 wRC+). Add in that his 58 stolen bases over the past two seasons tie him for sixth-most in the Majors, and there’s plenty to like about Marte’s all-around capabilities on offense.
Defensive stats present more of a mixed bag. Although Statcast credited Marte with a respectable two outs above average in center this year, both Defensive Runs Saved (-9) and Ultimate Zone Rating (-7.6) felt that the 2019 campaign was the worst of his career in center. For a player entering his age-31 season, that’s not ideal, but it’s worth noting that he graded out anywhere from above-average to excellent by all three of those metrics as recently as 2018. At worst, he could be viewed as a player with another year of center field left in him before transitioning to an outfield corner. Even with substandard defensive marks, Marte was worth 3.0 fWAR and 2.9 bWAR in 2019, so he’s a plenty valuable asset and well worth his remaining contractual obligation.
The trade market should see plenty of teams with potential center field needs inquire. The Phillies, Cubs, Reds, D-backs, Padres, Giants, Rangers, Braves and White Sox all seem like clubs that could inquire and gauge the asking price on Marte. The Blue Jays could represent an on-paper fit, but recent reports indicate that they’re not planning to pursue such a swap. The Mets, too, could use a center fielder — although they did just pick up Jake Marisnick, a more cost-effective option, in a swap with the Astros yesterday. If nothing else, Pirates fans should brace themselves for the inevitability that Marte’s name will be a popular one at next week’s Winter Meetings.
At this rate, I expect the Padres to get him. That way Preller has a completely different outfield next year.
They just traded for Pham, are stuck with Myers and have Margot, Cordero & Grisham. Where the heck does Marte fit???
It’s Aj Preller. Expect the unexpected. He’s already shown you he’ll shuffle the deck chairs.
That makes no sense. Because “its peeler” you should expect him to give up significant pieces to add a 6th OFer?
Preller*
This isn’t very hard to grasp. He literally just traded a starting outfielder for a starting outfielder last night. It was meant jokingly —but how hard would it be for Preller to trade prospects+ Margot for Marte? I just don’t get how you don’t get it.
Yup. Wonder if Margot, Hedges, and Morejon might work.
He gave up more than that for Pham. I believe the market is a little stronger for Marte. I’d expect a little more. I don’t know how high teams are on Morejon. But maybe that would work; it’s really hard to say.
Like I said, I don’t really expect the Padres to be the team to trade for him. That was just a little joke aimed at all the out of nowhere moves Preller has been making. Nothing serious.
Morejon’s still a top 100 prospect, who’s ready to pitch in the majors THIS YEAR. Seems like a good fit to me.
It may be. I know some are more bullish on Morejon than others. He’s a prospect that has more conflicting opinions than your typical guy. He might be big league ready; but in what capacity? As a reliever, I would imagine. He’s only thrown 65 innings in a single season…..
Theoretically that shouldn’t be of much concern to the Pirates; they are going nowhere this year. So, if they like him long term that could certainly work. I guess we’ll have to see if they’re the team to make it happen.
Nice jbigz12, I couldn’t agree more. A Marte trade has Preller’s name all over it. He has shown like with last nights trade that he is willing to trade for the same position as long as it’s an upgrade. Pham > Renfroe.
Could see something like:
One of Margot/Cordero, one of Lucchesi/Morejon, one of Torrens/Hunt and another arm like Sam Keating or Mason Thompson. For Marte.
I think that’s too light. Don’t see Pit wanting Hedges since they might be entering a mini rebuild stage. A younger C makes sense not named Mejia/Campusano. Luis Torrens or Blake Hunt make the most sense to me.
@tippin
“Morejon’s still a top 100 prospect, who’s ready to pitch in the majors THIS YEAR. Seems like a good fit to me.”
Braves got 5 of those in triple AAA right now, so if thats all it takes, sign us up for 2 Starling Martes please!
I could see the Padres throwing Margot in the trade along with prospects. Gives the Pirates someone to plug in at a much cheaper (albeit less productive) cost.
Bbatardo – the Pirates aren’t interest in your throw-ins.
Just depends on who else is involved, I doubt Margot would be the centerpiece. The Padres traded Renfroe but also included Xavier Edwards for Pham.
Funny, the Pirates were interested in Astros throw-ins for Cole.
nymetsking, different front office
The Phillies are delusional enough, desperate enough, and dumb enough to put Adam Haseley in a trade for him.
nymetsking
To be fair, Cole was a 4.26 ERA pitcher at that point. No one could have foreseen him dropping a couple of runs overnight.
You have a funny inclusion of Cordero haha. He won’t be healthy. Myers rates best as a 4th outfielder now. So does Margot. So yes there is space.
If we use Pham’s deal as a comp then probably an OFer off the 40 man will be coming back as a minor part of the deal. . Given Marte is better than Pham and none of the other OFers left on the Padres roster are better than Renfroe and all the prospects above Xavier Edwards are probably off limits to trade pretty much points to catcher Campusano or the pitchers, Morejon, Weathers Baez, Bolanos and maybe OFer Edward Olivares who is in AA and also taking up a 40 man spot. A Padre trade will be either Margot or Edwards + Campusano and one of the pitchers above, probably a LHer.
Sources tell me Marte to the Cubs for prospect Miguel Amaya is a possibility
“sources” lol
Charles the Cat?
Sorcerers
Sources = your butt
Lol!
I know this “sources tell me” is a dig at MLBTR but is it so hard to understand that there will be sources willing to provide info on the sole condition that they not be named? This is a rumors site, not world class investigative reporting…
Don’t do it @SfGiants
Marte is literally 31 and the Tigers will definitely ask for a top prospect when we won’t compete until 2022 at least
Wow, I thought he was just 27, but figuratively 31.
I also wonder why the Tigers would be getting any prospects for him.
Meant Pirates wtf
What?
I say the Marlins should make an offer… would show the fans they’re serious about winning and with all the depth we have, by 2022, guys like Bleday and Victor Mesa should be ready.
I’d see if Pittsburgh would bite on Monte Harrison, Braxton Garrett, Jerar Encarnacion and maybe a flier like Will Stewart or Tyler Kolek package. Gives Pittsburgh two legit outfield prospects, a potential top of the rotation option in Garrett and a lottery ticket that can develop into a solid starter whether it’s Kolek or Stewart.
Got a lot of work to do replacing Yelich, Ozuna and Stanton .
Hahahaha
Replacing offense is easy. But having solid pitching is not easy. For Ozuna, we have Alcantara. For Stanton we got solid years from Castro (while Stanton remained injured). Through other trades and drafts we have Sixto Sanchez, Nick Neidhart, Pablo Lopez, etc. Look up all the wonderful pitching depth we now have and compare it to the Ozuna/Yelich Stanton era… and yes, with Yelich, that stings. But hopefully we can get some sort of value out of Harrison or Diaz. Yamamoto looks like a legit 4/5 starter. Besides that. We added Villar, and Aguilar. Alfaro looks good. Rojas has improved. Anderson looks great. Bleday, Misner, Chisholm, Lewin Diaz and a Jesus Sanchez are all legit prospects. No one can argue that.
Marlins will be a playoff in 2022 until 2025 at the very least. Mark my words.
So basically you got nothing for 4 of the best players in the game?
@Fred
Lay off the guy. Don’t tell me Stanton or Ozuna is a top anything. Stanton is a top patient at the doctor’s office with an overly inflated contract. And Ozuna is an average to slightly above average corner outfielder.
Alcantara, Diaz, Harrison, Yamamoto,Gallen (indirectly Chisholm) and Sixto isn’t “nothing” either. The only really bad deal ended up being Yelich because he became an MVP while Brinson became an absolute zero.
There’s other decent prospects they got back that I failed to mention too—-as well as Alfaro. They certainly did not get back “nothing.”
If replacing offense is easy, why did the Marlins have a OPS+ of 79 as a team?
Yelich became MVP when playing in Milwaukee. Do you think cameras in the outfield played a part??
Fred
“Nothing” is a strong word. We got Alcantara, Gallen, Sierra, Guzman, Castro, Devers, Yamamoto, Brinson, Diaz, and Harrison. Gallen turned into Chisholm. So far Alcantara looks like a solid No 2/3 starter and Yamamoto looks like a good No 5… Sierra should be a good 4th OF… Brinson, Harrison, Diaz and Guzman are wildcards but I have a feeling that Diaz will be a solid 2B for years to come and Guzman should at the very least be a solid bullpen arm. Harrison has 30/30 potential and is a top 100 prospect still… so your theory of them having nothing to show is incorrect.
Wkkortas: this team last year wasn’t the final result. They weren’t built to win. They had guys like Grandy, Walker and Prado to mentor the young guys. Check back in 2021-2022 when they aim to be playoff bound.
Every team goes thru rebuilds. To judge them on OPS from last year is near sighted and moronic. It is what it is. They’re rebuilding.
So, by your definition, “easy” means “four or five painfully long years”. Got it.
NOBODY foresaw Yelich becoming an MVP. The guy had 18 HR’s and a 4.2 WAR his last year with MIA. He topped out at 21 HR’s and 5.4 the year before. That was a solid player, not an MVP candidate. It take ballsy intellectual dishonesty to say MIA traded an MVP player.
Wkkortas dude, you’re a moron. All teams have roughly 3-4 year rebuilding periods. Especially when it comes to small market teams. Look at the Astros… their core guys like Bregman, Correa and Altuve were developed around the same time through the minors. Most minor leaguers need 4-6 years to develop.
Marlins serious about winning? lol
Yeah. They are… new ownership in town bud. I guess you missed the memo?
New ownership? Oh you mean the guy who traded the best player in franchise history to his former team for nothing. Ya, I missed that memo.
Didn’t Jeter dump Yelich ?
Maybe one day they’ll find that star player to build around.. maybe one day ..
Have you been hiding under a rock? Stanton has always been injury prone and his contract is already an albatross. If anything he robbed his old team. Frees up 25-30 million payroll annually.
Not a dump. Got four prospects. Was a bad trade. It happens. No ownership is perfect.
Only frees it up if they are willing to spend it elsewhere
They picked up Villar at 11 million projected for this season.
Btw… Does a team have to be expensive to be good? Oakland and Tampa Bay are consistently very good teams and have bottom of the pack payrolls. In case you didn’t know.
Freddy H
Find some honesty. Yelich wasn’t the player with MIA he came out to be with MIL.. Dude had 18 HR’s and a 4.2 WAR with MIA the year before. Like I say, find some honesty and stop pretending MIA traded an MVP. NOBODY saw that coming. Not even you.
Victor Mesa, Victor Victor Mesa, Victor Mesa Mesa or Victor Victor Mesa Mesa?
Victor Mesa jr or Victor Victor Mesa.
Not sure who Victor Mesa Mesa is or who Victor Victor Mesa Mesa is to be honest with you.
Vic Table
Roger, Roger.
Henry Henry
Whats your vector, Victor?
Stretch123 – the Pirates don’t need 2 outfield prospects, they have them. The article was correct in its indication if a top catching prospect, then pitching prospect depth, to improve the farm.
Padres are going to get him and trade away Mejia and prospects for him.
Biggest issue with baseball is 12.5 mil being too expensive for Pirates, but nice cheap deal for most other clubs.
FYI I do think it makes sense to trade him, just a joke of a league structure tho .. what’s next, half of the league using an extra batter in the lineup.. oh wait.
Your comments are spot on. MLB is broken, and we now are facing a two-tier system in which a handful of teams with deep pockets and all the best players beat up on the rest of the league to build impressive W-L records and win championships. Solving the problem involves revenue sharing and a hard salary cap.
Yawn. Actually it involves the billionaire owners of “the other half” of the teams investing in a winning product and filling up the seats and justifying a huge tv deal– but they won’t because it’s more profitable for them to just cry poor and fleece the team, pocketing every penny of profit
I agree it’s not on the salary cap, but must find a way to motivate low spending GMs to spend adequately.
Bob Nutting takes harsh criticism from fans and local media on a regular basis, but it has zero influence on his operations.
The Commissioner must realize this is an issue that needs addressed from the top.
There is no way that a small market TV contract can ever get a huge TV like New York or LA. Cleveland’s TV ratings for Indians baseball is the second highest in MLB yet their TV contract is 1/4 that of the Yankees. The amount of possible viewers in the Cleveland metro area is so much smaller. It is a valid complaint and one that needs to be addressed for the small market teams to play on a more even playing field.
Stick to hockey John..
Baseball has Revenue Sharing, so EVERY owner gets an Equal slice of the pie, or in this case, an equal share in the national TV deal.
Nutting is one of the richest owners in baseball.. partly because of the lopsided gains he’s acquired through taking advantage of a negligent system on MLB’s part.
Freddy- you are correct that they share revenue from national tv contract. The Pirates get about $20-25 mill a year from it. Their local tv deal pays them about the same amount. Large market teams get in excess of $200 million a year from the LOCAL tv deals. They don’t share that.
You don’t understand the economics of baseball. Maybe you should consider hockey too?
It’s not too expensive
It’s foolish spending
They are not going to compete for a playoff berth
Their window is closed
Time to start building for the next run
Sell at his highest point
Are you writing a poem?
I hate when people defend Nutting’s wallet.
Marte is easily worth 18-20 mil/yr.
12.5 mil is cheap for a starting caliber player, let alone all-star talent like Marte. One of the best contracts in baseball, and you’re essentially calling it dead weight lmao
They wouldn’t kick in any extra money when the 2013-2015 window WAS open, to get another legit starter, or a real bat at first base. How many more games would they have won if Jeff Locke wasn’t getting blown up every other start? Or Gaby Sanchez wasn’t at first base? Had they made a trade like the Astros did for Verlander, they would have been in business. But they went for guys like JA Happ and Ivan Nova. Obviously the Happ trade worked out WAYYYY better than expected, but they never made the trade or signing they needed to get over the top and win the division. And that was because they wouldn’t pay the cash for another arm or bat. Even when they got Byrd and Morneau it was lucky August waiver wire pick ups (to save another month of cash).
Absolutely agree with you guys. Not only can low revenue teams not have longer competition windows but many can’t afford to re-sign their own players. Jeter would never have played forever with one team if he was on the Pirates.
Most painful off-season ever was seeing AJ Burnett and Marlon Byrd both sign with the Phillies ,
Pirates within 1 game of the NLCS, but couldn’t even afford to keep two 35+ year olds around to push for a WS the next year.
Byrd and AJ both got close to 20 mil, while Pirates replaced them with Travis Snider (2 mil) and Edinson Volquez (5 mil)..
Who cares if those moves were cost efficient and effective, point is forward progress was lost. A team in the heart of contention wasnt willing to make temporary poor financial decisions to win the dam thing.
You mean the AJ Burnett that lead the NL in losses in his season with Philly? 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA. Pirates can’t afford those kind of seasons from someone with a big contract.
I knew at least one person would miss the point..
The point is, you keep Winning Teams Together and build on them.. not replace inequivalent talent on cheaper contracts.
Byrd was necessary(not to be confused with good or great) middle of the order batter who was never affordable in the first place, and was never replaced.
That’s the issue, the system is a joke…
, Neal basically had to cheat by waiting until end of August to get Byrd and Morneau because they couldn’t “afford” to get them a month earlier when they could’ve helped push for the pennant.
PS AJ was so bad, that the Pirates inked him back up the following year , if you forgot 😉
Point on AJ was a change of scenery did not help him , and Pirates didn’t reallocate that money elsewhere to begin win. #NoExcuse
Yes, the AJ Burnett that had the lowest ERA of his career and made the all-star team when he returned to the Pirates in 2015.
What about Margot and Mejia for Marte? This is coming from a Pirate fan.
I hope Cherington targets real prospects not former prospects who still have holes in their game.
What did you see from either one last year that would make you want them?
Change of scenery for Margot. Think he’s a poor mans Marte. Hit “slightly” better away from PETCO.
I love Mejias bat. Plus he’s only 24. They have next to nothing as far as catching and I’m willing to take that chance. I feel his bat can play elsewhere if the defense doesn’t come around.
Fair enough. I’m hoping more for a top end pitching prospect for marte, and signing a veteran catcher to help the staff
The Padres don’t need him, they just traded for Pham. Padres are definitely not getting Marte.
How about Margot, Hedges, and Morejon or Báez?
I’d be OK with a Collins + someone else for Marte trade for the White Sox
Very good. I’ll call up the White Sox GM and let him know tsnydacker is ok with it.
I think the jury is already in on Collins and the verdict is not good. The Sox never would have signed a 4-year deal with Grandal if they thought Collins will become an MLB-caliber catcher. And even if he does learn to hit MLB pitching, his value to the Pirates would be less. No way the Pirates trade Marte for “Collins + someone else.”
No – Sox have Roberts RF?
Sox need OF help however they can get it. I imagine Marte or Roberts could figure out how to play RF
Marte is a center fielder and he would be a huge upgrade offensively over Adam Engel and Leury Garcia, but at the corner outfield positions, they’re good to go with Jimenez and Robert.
Mets would have to give up probably both Nimmo and Davis. I would guess there might be an A ball prospect in there too.
I think a lot of teams make sense for Marte. He’s fun to watch when he’s healthy and seeing the ball well.
I agree. He could help upgrade almost any OF in the game.
Hopefully Cherington lands more than the equivalent of Andy LaRoche and Craig Hansen for him.
He has some big shoes to fill in Pittsburgh
Keep it rolling rockstar bring Marte to SD… send the buccos Margot, Mejia and a prospect. Get it done.
Would be thrilled to see him reunite with McCutchen in Philly. I wonder what kind of prospect haul the Pirates would require in a trade. I still think the Mets make the most sense in a Marte for JD Davis & Dom Smith swap.
Bohm to start IMO
I like Bohm a lot, but I don’t know if he’s enough for this trade. Phils just don’t have much to trade.
I don’t even think I’d trade Bohm straight up for Marte and I don’t think the Phils front office would either. Those two teams don’t seem to match up very well but I think the Phillies should consider taking on a bad contract like Eovaldi or Sale to try to aquire Betts if it means not giving up Bohm or Howard in the trade.
I’d also like to see them try to get Story or Gray from the Rockies by taking on one of those awful reliever contracts like Wade Davis or Bryan Shaw.
Even the Cubs would love to shed Darvish, Chatwood, Heyward or Kimbrel so if the Phils took on ALL salary for one of those guys maybe they could get Bryant for several second tier prospects.
Bohm is going to be a monster. He just absolutely destroyed the AFL.
Don’t think they could get Betts without Bohm involved, even if they took Eovaldi’s contract. Makes no sense for Sox to chain Betts to a bad contract imo.
Would imagine the Sox are counting on a bounceback from Sale, rather than trying to offload his contract. Don’t think they’d view him as a negative asset yet.
I dunno. They said the same about Franco. Plus Bohm doesn’t look like he’ll be good with a glove in the majors. I see him as a future 1b/DH type.
Mets don’t need him anymore cross them off the list. $$ going to the pen
The Reds are listed as an option. I have to wonder with all the animosity between those two teams in 2019 whether a trade between the two teams is a good idea. Yes, players are professionals and some of the people involved are gone, but seems like a big gamble for clubhouse chemistry.
How about JBJ? I thought he might be available for trade.
Who has more trade value this offseason, Starling Marte or Mookie Betts?
Probably Betts despite one less year of control and double the salary, but I would imagine not by much. They would probably command very similar returns.
Marte easily. He’s under control longer and you have no chance to sign Betts until next offseason.
Marte has not had a 4-WAR year since 2016…and he just had his worst defensive season. In a full season, Mookie has never had lower than a 5-WAR year and has double Marte’s lofty 4 WAR twice already, while almost reaching 10 WAR in 1 season twice. Mookie is literally twice the player Marte is, so I’ll take him for 1 year over Marte for 2.
What you’re not acknowledging is that the Sox will be demanding twice as much as any team will give them for Betts. Otherwise their fans will be screaming bloody murder. Sox aren’t trading Betts. Period. Marte, on the other hand, may very well be traded…
Jays should be all over this. They need a CF bad and they have several higher end catcher prospects. And Cherington knows the Jays well.
makes no sense. Jays wont compete in those 2 years and then he is a 33 year old CF FA.
I still think the Mets want him..i feel that the pirates wanted Nimmo to plug the hole that would be left by a departing Marte. Getting Marisnick now allows the Mets to comfortably use Nimmo as the bait.
How about Nimmo,Gsellman,Gimenez and Vientos for Marte and low minors lotto ticket
Despite last year’s horrible trade, youre not getting half of that from the Mets
I actually think the Pirates can get Nimmo, Dom Smith and more from the Mets for Marte.
That helps Pittsburgh how? Neither Nimmo nor Dom Smith are starting pitcher prospects nor good catching prospects.
Mets wouldn’t trade nimmo and smith off their roster then they’d lack depth
They just made moves for OF depth. Dom Smith deserves to start somewhere.
Red flags all over this. 31, declining defense, offensive production that only looks good if he’s a CF. Real chance he declines quickly defensively and becomes a pure corner. Nice player, but if I’m a CF needy team I’m not offering a ton for him.
Marte to the Braves for ender inciarte, Bryce Wilson and Williams contreras. Pirates get a replacement CF for about 4 mil less this year and is controlled the next 2. They get a quality young P and that catching prospect with strong pedigree in contreras.
Braves move acuna to center and marte is in right with Duvall/markakis taking LF. If pache or waters is ready soon then marte doesn’t block them.
I think everyone wins here. Cmon AA pick up that phone!
Stop he is not going to the Braves
We are 3B or bust at this point
Markakis/Duvall/Ender is there until Pache & Waters are ready
Which is fine by the end of the year 1 of the 2 if not both should be up
Except we need 2 bats. One in OF and one at 3B. Ender is completely expendable unless you’re trading pache in a package for kris Bryant.
Braves need more than just 3b and AA is going to have to trade to get those pieces if JD goes elsewhere which I feel he will. Being 3b or bust is dumb. There are plenty of options, keep your mind open.
Wouldn’t hate this as a Pirate fan.
Don’t need inciarte. Anderson and Contreras is the starting point.
Don’t need Marte if we have Inciarte. Yes, Marte is a clear upgrade offensively, but our 2 top prospects are CF, with Acuna also able. We need a corner OF, where Marte’s offense make him average. Alas, we would not fully benefit from him, especially considering our 1-3 is stacked and we need a RBI-machine/power hitter, which he is clearly not, unless you get really creative with that line-up – something Snit is not keen on doing, especially when you a pitcher batting once every 9 ABs.
I prefer Wright and Contreras.
Anderson is going no where in any deal unless it was for a complete stud ace, and none are available.
Would you move Anderson for 2 years of Kluber with no money coming back and not having to give up Pache/Waters — other key pieces would be involved?
The Braves wouldn’t do that. Everyone perpetually underrates Braves prospects because theyve got so many and heard about them so much. I like Marte but it sounds like his value is a bit overrated here. His bat is merely above average at a corner, and his defense has slid at CF as hes reached his 30s, and his game is built around athleticism. I think he would be great on the Braves by giving them another high contact guy who can steal bases to lenghten the lineup (he would not crack the Braves top of the lineup).
But if the Pirates market him as worth what a middle of the order bat would be worth for 2 years he wont get traded anytime soon. I imagine they will try to find a team desperate for an overpay who think hes going to be a big CF upgrade, since the market is weak now.
I highly doubt they would give up one of their top 3 (and mlb top 20) though, when there are so many bigger names being talked about who could justify moving them. They could easily give the Pirates 3-4 legit prospects with upside though, which is what a small market team usually needs, especially one with lots of holes and playing time available.
But if he slips again defensively, and doesn’t reach more than 15 hrs without a juiced ball (which could happen since 2 of the last 3 yrs he hit under 10) he could end up being just a another guy and nothing close to the all-star he has been in the past.
Wooof awful deal for Braves
Pirates have to be furious at Tampa for dumping Pham for next-to-nothing. Now other teams will low-ball them as well expecting a deal.
Lol the Rays got a great return
A low-average, high-strikeout guy in Renfroe and a dime-a-dozen middle infield prospect with no pop? I would hope that that’s no one’s definition of a “great” return.for a quality player like Pham
Edwards is a top 100.
Marte wants to go to the Mets..
Mets don’t have the assets.
yes they do.
No. They dont.
Keep the steroid abuser off my team, please.
Which team do you own? I’m sure the Pirates will listen.
Pretty much guaranteed your team has PED users on it.
This is the move that could really solidify the Phillies, but I don’t really think they have many desirable trade chips.
I’m severely anti-tanking (MLB should disallow it as a condition of Revenue Sharing), but the Pirates are a mess. In SOME instances (Orioles, e.g.) tanking should be allowed for a year or two. And the Bucs fit that paradigm.
I’d be in favor to force them to attempt at “bad contracts with prospect” type deals to get them up to a 100M or so “floor”, but moving a quality asset like Marte is a no brainer. In that division, it’s going to be a while before they get to the dance.
If Pittsburgh is trading him, it is necessarily to get two things in return … a very good catching prospect and a good starting pitching prospect. It’s not that hard to figure out what Pittsburgh needs. No trashy prospects, no reclamation projects or no utility guys that need a change of scenery.
Hedges, Margot, and Morejon or Báez?
This screams Reds for Casalli and India. Good cheap catcher and a blocked top prospect to capture 2 seasons of whatever he’s got in the tank.
Casali is garbage. That is an embarrassing idea. If you knew Pittsburgh’s depth chart, they have a stud 3B prospect coming soon, so no need for India. Do some research.
dude, chill out
You should do some research as well, the Pirates suck and accumulating talent is more important than position targeting
Casali has zero talent so how is that acquiring talent. LOL you bring up India who is blocked. He would be blocked in Pittsburgh by Hayes. Do some research. I know all about the Pirates.
LOl thinking Casali is “garbage.” Guy hit .293/.355/450 in ’18 and was doing even better last year until injuries slowed him. And have you never heard of prospects switching positions when blocked? Sounds like you should do some research yourself before labeling other’s posts “embarrassing.”
Your right. A major league ready, solid catcher and a number #1 prospect for an aging outfielder and 6 million in salary relief…….. I am stupid. Let’s see if that get THAT much. Lol
Marte is not going to the Reds, they have a CFer…and to even mention Casali is laughable, and I’m a Reds fan…
No offense but I am just not sold on Senzel in tho outfield. 2nd base? Fine. With Moose,however, I believe we had better have a little insurance for nicked-up-nick.
How about alex reyes or genesis Cabrera, ivan Herrera, ehlerius Montero and adolis Garcia?
Until MLB adopts a salary floor the Pirates will continue to cheat their fans and line the Nutting family pockets. The Pirates appeared to have made some good management hires but they will leave in four years disappointed and disillusioned due to lack of Nutting financial support.
Pirates had some really good teams they just never added that one or two pieces to push them over top. Their most recent trade history has been horrendous.
Bring in a floor and bad players will be overpaid to reach said floor, fluctuating the market in an upward trend. The floor would work if they institute a hard cap. Doubt anyone is in-favor of that.
End the competitive balance picks for those teams spending below $100-mil.
would Upton and Barria be enough for Archer ?
I’m not sure you realize that Upton has more money left on his deal than the largest contract the Pirates have ever given out.
LOL … no
Yanks send Hicks, Voit, Andujar for Josh Bell and Marte.
Thoughts???
Yanks would need to send more.
Hicks still has 6/60 on his contract, doesn’t he?
I would rather see the pirates sign a Castro or Chirinos than go after Collins on CWS. Speaking of the White Sox though, I would like to see something like a Stiever and Steele Walker (Come on. You can’t get a better name for a player in Pittsburgh) type of deal.
I like Stiever and Steele as well and there 1B prospect Gavin Sheets which would give us depth behind Craig if Bell was traded to the White Sox instead of Marte.
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Yankees should go for Marte. I bet prospects Hensley Meulens, Dave Eiland, and Pat Kelly would get it done. I’d hold on to Bernie Williams. Any thoughts?
I mean if they’re going to give up blue chip prospects, there’s a guy named Jose Canseco in Oakland they should go after. That dude has 40/40 potential.
Marte to the Reds for Tyler Stephenson, Lyon Richardson, and Jameson Hannah
I thought Padres for Marte but not so sure after trade with Tampa. Braves seem to be best fit now . Catcher , GOOD young pitcher plus Trey Harris would get it done for me.
Contreras, Bryce Wilson and Trey Harris? I think that Atlanta would very possibly do that deal. They could always trade Ender to some other centerfield needing team if they so choose.
Pirates need young hard throwing LH . Wilson is RH I believe. I would ask for Wright over Wilson if it is a RH. How about Langeliers over Contreras?
If the Pirates are going to actually do a full rebuild, they need everything. Besides that, I think upgrading Contreras to Langeliers and upgrading Wilson to Wright is to expensive for a center fielder who is 31 and trending in then wrong direction.
If the Brave don’t want to include any of the top 4 prospects in a trade for Marte then they will have to include C Langeliers over Contreras or LHP Muller over Wilson and if not Langeliers and Muller probably another piece lower down the farm like LHP Tucker Davidson.
Cubs seem like the best bet to me for a faster turn around time that allows them to make a run with the current young talent in 2021.
Pirates send Marte, Kela and 2M in Marte’s 2020 salary.
Happ and Mills as headline, Caratini and Alozay.
Happ Slides in to third and if Hayes finds his bat goes into the OF when Polanco gets hurt.
Mills could possibly start, but at worst be a quality pen piece
Caratini, not sure if he is an “everyday” catcher, but his bat plays from the left side well and would be a good match for PNC
Alzolay former top 100 that fell off the map and looks like a ‘bust’. new eyes may help.
Pirates save ~10M of guaranteed money and get a third basemen with Happ who is better than Moran. A quality Pen piece in Mills (at worst) A Catcher who *might* be an every day guy and a probable prospect bust in Alzolay.
All of them are expendable appear for the Cubs if they get Marte. from my helicopter not knowing the Cubs well view of course.
Good for the Cubs in 2020, likely better pirates team in 2020 but playing the long game for ’21+ when players are hopefully healthy.
You must be a Cub fan ! Bad trade Bens not that dumb. Neil maybe but pass. Much better deals than that out there.
Pillar is also an available CF option now
Jays could use a defense first CFer in Marte for their very young staff. We’ll Take Archer too. Trade McGuire, Teoscar and Zeuch. That’s a good start to a Pittsburgh rebuild. Trading is the only way TOronto can acquire player. We have to take hostages.
This trade is not competitive the Pirates are in need of LH pitching catching and farm depth. The Blue Jays would have to make a competitive offer better than the other 10 teams in need of an OFer. I can see a RHP Adam Kloffenstien, SS Orelvis Basabe, OF Chavez Young & McGuire for Marte & Archer.
This would provide the Pirates w/ a catcher and promising RHP plus 2 prospects for the farm system picked by the new assistant GM Steve Sanders when he was in Toronto. The Blue Jays get upgrades to their OF and a pitcher for their rotation and trading for one pitcher for the rotation makes over spending for another pitcher to fill out the rotation easier.
I think there is a better trade out there. Plus you said it LH!
There may be a better trade from another team but from reports it will have to be for a top catching prospect I agree a better deal could be offered by the Dodgers, Rangers, Padres, Cubs, Braves Tampa or White Sox all of which have top catching prospects to put a better package together than the Jays. I agree they need LH pitching but they also need pitching period and the Jays are not trading LHP Kay.
Something for sure will go down next week. I think Bucs will be very active. Another trade may net a good you catcher!
I wouldn’t mind any of those players, getting reese back would be great. but… they’re not worth marte and archer.
No reason to sell low on archer. Keep’m to the break and hope he rebuilds some value. Pirates need warm bodies in the rotation.
Talk Reese, Kay, Moreno, Hiraldo would be a good starting point with out archer. But they probably wouldn’t do that.
That’s three young Mlb ready players with 16 years of control. Vs 4 years of control and 43M in salary.
Maybe I take it back.
If the Blue Jays are not willing to trade any of there 1st tier talent for Marte then they will have to trade a couple 2nd and 3rd tear prospects. If the Jays don’t want to give up multiple years of control then they will have to trade one of their top 4 prospects and it may not be competitive enough. Considering the cost and that the Jays are not one piece away I doubt they trade for Marte or Archer.
yeah the trade is basically Starling for Reese and that won’t cut it.
TJ and Teoscar are barely mlb ready..
TJ was uninspiring in AAA and his MLB cup of tea.
Teoscar is just a power bat and that’s about it. If he would’ve gotten a few more at bats he would have lead the league with the highest strike out rate.
Jays would need to come up with something better..
I will say… Ben has an inside scoop into the Jays system.. if he where to make a trade with them i’d be less skeptical than if NH were to make the trade.
That’s why no trade not nearly enough!
Your right. A major league ready, solid catcher and a number #1 prospect for an aging outfielder and 6 million in salary relief for 2 yrs…….. I am stupid. Let’s see if that get THAT much. Lol
It will be interesting next week for sure. As a Pirate fan of course I’d like an over pay who wouldn’t ?
Trade Ketel Marte for Starling Marte. That way the fans don’t have to dump their fan jerseys.
i’m sold
The Phillies could use Marte.I could see a trade for Medina,Valezquez,Hasely,and the best of the young catchers that they have.
The Bucs could sign Romine for now.
The Pirates could throw in Kramer if necessary.
I would make Valezquez a multi inning reliever.
Since the FO destroyed what was once a top minor league system, maybe a boatload of pitching, catching and outfielder prospects who are close to the MLB level makes sense
Marte. Bell. Kelah
Why not?
Nimmo,Smith,Gimenez,Gsellman and prospect for Marte,Kela and a prospect…
Fair trade for both sides
Padres get: Marte (CF), T. Williams (SP), K. Kela (RP)
Pirates get:
Patino (SP) – #3, Campusano (C) – #5, Morejon (SP) – #6, E.Olivares (OF) – #16
I can see that as improving the team and as a fan would be ok with that trade to the Padres. The Padres may balk at it though since they have plenty of pitching and may not be interested in T Williams but Frazier could platoon w/ Profar and be a super utility. The trade may have to change Kela to Crick if Marte & Frazier are also involved in the trade for those 4 Padres prospects. The Pirates definitely have the MLB ready players to put a trade together for that package
In a scenario where a Padres trade falls through the White Sox have need for Marte, Frazier, Kela & Archer which they may target in a trade. The Sox have several near MLB ready prospects that are blocked at the MLB level for the next 3-5 years.
1B Andrew Vaugn & Gavin Sheets both are blocked by Abreu & possibly Collins
OF Luis Basabe is blocked by Robert, Engel, Mazara & Jimenez + their are 3 other prospects in the waiting in the minors,
C Zach Collins who is blocked 2 deep at the MLB level but appears more suited for 1B which is an area of needed depth as well for the Pirates.
Depending on who is traded the Pirates may ask for RHP Jonathan Stiever who is better than all our other pitching prospects except Keller.