With two hits in the Mets’ 5-3 win over the Giants tonight, Starling Marte is now slashing .289/.372/.416 over an even 200 plate appearances this season, which translates to a very solid 129 wRC+. The veteran hitter’s continued production in his age-36 campaign hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the New York Post’s Mike Puma reports that multiple teams have checked in with the Mets about Marte in the lead-up to the trade deadline.
Marte has served almost exclusively as a designated hitter in 2025, with only a handful of appearances as a corner outfielder. Initially tabbed as part of a righty/lefty DH platoon with Jesse Winker, Marte has ended up getting more action right-handed pitching than against southpaws, and he took a .793 OPS in 86 PA against lefties and a .762 OPS over 110 PA against righties into action tonight. Marte is benefiting from a .336 BABIP and he isn’t generating much power, but the former All-Star has shown he is still productive within somewhat limited parameters.
Now in the final season of the four-year, $78MM free agent deal signed in the 2021-22 offseason, Marte has around $6.4MM remaining of his $19.5MM salary for the 2025 campaign. While not the biggest chunk of change to take on over the season’s final two months, it does seem a little steep for a part-time primary DH, so it is interesting to speculate on what exactly other clubs could be offering Marte, or what the Amazins are asking in return. New York floated Marte’s name in trade talks this past offseason, with the Mets reportedly willing to cover part of that $19.5MM salary in order to help facilitate a deal.
The Royals were the only team publicly linked to Marte’s market, though obviously no agreement was reached. Hypothetically, it stands to reason that Kansas City could still be an interested party, given how the Royals are struggling offensively and have gotten next to nothing from their outfielders or their lineup in general. Marte could be slotted into the Royals’ DH slot moreso than a regular role in the outfield, though K.C.’s acquisition of Randal Grichuk may have filled some of that need with a player who has more defensive utility.
Trading Marte would free up some space within a Mets lineup that is already overloaded in position players. While the younger members of New York’s infield mix have been inconsistent this year, the Mets would probably prefer to deal a veteran on an expiring contract like Marte before parting ways with a more controllable talent, even if younger players are likewise more attractive to trade suitors.
It is fair to assume the Mets would look to land pitching when trying to deal Marte or any hitter. The Mets have reportedly shown interest in a number of different starters, and president of baseball operations David Stearns said even after Friday’s Gregory Soto acquisition that the bullpen is still the team’s primary focus as the deadline approaches. To that end, the Athletic’s Will Sammon added Ryan Helsley to the long list of relievers under consideration, but as of early Sunday morning, the Mets had yet to actually have any talks with the Cardinals about the closer.
At this point, I think I’d rather just keep him. Even with the DH logjam of Marte/Vientos/Winker (who’s injured), Marte has hit well and he’s a great vibes guy in the clubhouse. If you’re trading him, the only teams that would be interested are teams you might be playing against in the playoffs. Teams that have available relievers (Cleveland, Minnesota, St Louis, Pittsburgh, etc) all would have no use for Marte.
These 3 guys are really redundant. That’s 3 players on the 26 man roster who don’t belong on the field as defenders. One or two of these 3 guys are gone by Thursday evening.
@ Brett B.. True. But many teams carry one or two such players these days. And who knows how far away Winker’s return is. Certainly after the deadline. Until he comes back, Marte is a bat that is producing in a lineup that has needed more of those.
And Davis Stearns is always playing both the short and long games at the same time. If he believes that Vientos’ bat is worth having next year – when WInker and Marte are gone and there is a vacancy at DH – he will hold on to him.
Vientos has the most value to other teams. He could bring the most back in a trade. Jett is coming. There is an infield logjam
If he’s traded for Robert, that helps against LHPs big time given the Mets relatively poor hitting against LHPs.
Then Starling stays.
Jesse is unreliable. I think there’s something to unlock about Jared Young. He takes good ABs. Probably next year. He’s under team control for a little while.
I’m not saying a trade won’t happen, just that its not a given.
As for Young, I think you’re reaching. He just turned 30. He’s OPSed over .900 in AAA so he won’t learn anything new down there, and below .600 in the majors, too weak to carry.
Plus, this year was his last option. He’d have to make the club or get DFAd next year. So he’s really irrelevant to any part of the equation, short- or long-term.
Every team has low level relievers available. It’s not like you were going to get a top 4 from anyone’s bullpen for him, even if you pay down the money.
You’re right. The Cards have plenty of outfielders already, with more knocking at the door. As it is, there’s a call from some local pundits, to at least trade Lars Nootbar.
I hope they trade him to anyone the Dodgers don’t face in the playoffs. Anyone with the last name of Marte or Cruz kills us.
There’s no way to predict postseason matchups at the trade deadline.
I play the position of dodgers fan. It’s nice because I can get a win almost every day.
Astros gear in the closet? No. My trash cans are outside.
Almost as weird speaking for the entire United States.
It would be absolutely absurd if the Dodgers didn’t know who their fans were. Imagine a business not knowing its customer base and revenue stream. None of it gets done without the fan and their money.
Boy you must be fun at parties
Wrong.
Disney/Hollywood is a business that no longer knows their fan base.
So to the rest of YOU, personally, I sound ridiculous.
Because you wouldn’t speak for an entire group of strangers, right?
And yes, the Dodgers know who I am. Do they consult me before making decisions? Indirectly, yes they do. I am part of the fan base that expects them to be the best run organization they can be. Which gives me the best chance to buy postseason tickets, buy merch, and participate in parades when they win.
Dodgers Fan, you don’t sound ridiculous, Holee Cow does.
You demand excellence. Have you asked to speak to the manager? Just kidding.
Obtw, you cherish the Dodgers and you decorate yourself with the merch. It costs 10 cents a day for mlbtr subscription. There’s lots of great content to be unlocked for 10 cents a day, even some stuff about the Dodgers. Add to your Dodgers knowledge!
What gang are you in?
@ADF – just ignore him, we’re with you in this.
I appreciate the support. I do find it enjoyable to watch people lose it over a team.
When the dodgers were mismanaged, I still wanted them to win. But I didn’t do anything to financial benefit the team during those times.
They didn’t try, so I didn’t try.
Rangers? Maybe giants? I wouldn’t take the risk of trading him to anyone in the national league though.
Risk goes both ways.
The Giants do need offensive help , but they have too many DH level defenders already. The Mets are keeping Marte off the field due to injury concerns .
KC seems like a perfect fit. I don’t think he’s on the market since they picked up a lesser talent instead.
That “lesser” talent, Grichek, can actually play the OF.
Seen KC run production?? Doubt that’s why they traded for him lol
Yes I have and he’s an improvement from the current cast.
Would prefer to keep him . Will not get anything besides a lottery ticket prospect for him. But he can be valuable for the Mets during post season with a .372 obp
So, 3 DHs on the 26 man roster?
Noooo.
1. Marte for a reliever. Mets pay Marte as part of the trade.
2. Winker. DFA.
3. Vientos for Robert Jr. (crushes LHPs).
Now imagine that! All 13 guys can actually play the field, instead of a bunch of miscast DHs trying to catch baseballs.
At this point, Jared Young is better than Jesse.
The Vientos for Robert is the worst trade idea I’ve ever heard in baseball.
Keep vientos mauricio Baty. You will need them all next year
Robert Jr cant hit. That guy has been the talk of trade rumors for yrs. He has done alot for the White Sox.
Vientos for Robert Jr? Should they also trade Juan Soto for Michael Harris II?
You should read Robert’s stats against LHPs.
And he improves the production at CF considerably. He’s crushing lefties now, and he has for his entire career.
Are we going for it or not? When is MV’s second breakout scheduled for?
He has no value if he doesn’t hit.
His trade value can tank just like Robert’s value has tanked.
MV hitting in 2025.
.226/.280/.358
279 PA
18 BB
Robert is an instrumental part of a franchise plummeting to the worst team in baseball history. Why would any winning organization want to risk bringing him on when he has lowered his floor every year? He got paid and stopped working.
I love the way he has been contributing this season but it’s a matter of time before he gets hurt again. If he can get you another bullpen piece, then trade him.
Wandy Peralta straight up?
No.
I can understand other teams’ interest, but I would think the Mets would have to be blown away by a trade offer. They have exactly nobody who is available and as good a hitter as he on the roster or in AAA. None of the 3 third basemen they are carrying can hit like him. Fun fact: Starling was 16-1 in SB last year.
I can already sense the loss of Mojo the team would feel. Things are going pretty well; don’t f* it up.
He is not going to make the differenc eif the Mets make it or not. I think they dont make it and get knocked out early.
Marte’s the Mets elder statesman his teammates look up to.. Better to keep him at this point than tamper with the clubhouse chemistry of which he’s a part as the most senior position player they have.
I just checked the ages of the Mets players last night. Yes, he is the elder statesman among the position players. Brooks Raley is the oldest Met by 4 months over Marte.
Marte’s career BABIP is 340. How is he “benefitting from a 336 BABIP”?
Can you guys update your AI article writing from its 2010 “advanced stat” knowledge? We have statcast data. The idea that you can determine if a batter was lucky or not based on BABIP is laughable and dated.
Maybe Steve and the guys here need another writer? You should apply.
Marte has been an expensive bust for the Mets. Always injured. Nobody wants him at that salary unless they are crazy. DH? Not alot of power there?
Your facts are correct, but let’s not overstate the impact. The Mets will clearly have to eat some salary. They know it, and they’re not afraid to do it if it gets them something they want. As for the DH/little power thing, ideally, 7ou’r right. But ideal is not the norm. Some contender somewhere is carrying a bat or three on its roster that is less productive than Marte (as do the Mets, for that matter). It’ll be slim pickings, but there’s a puncher’s chance someone is willing to take him,.
Marte took some great ABs against LAD. He was money. Trade Vientos for pitching or CF.
Vientos destroyed the universe in the playoffs last year. .998 OPS
No one but a playoff contender is going to want a rental DH. Which contender needs a DH bad enough to give up a good bullpen arm?
It doesn’t have to work that way. The Mets acquire the reliever in one trade, and then trade Marte to a contender for a low level prospect in a different trade, thus replacing some of the prospect capital they lost.
Again, geofft, which contender is going to want Marte?
San Diego’s DH production is non-existent since moving Sheets to LF in order to address the lack of production there. And yes, the Mets would have to eat next to all of the salary. But Cohen is on record as saying he’s willing to do that in order to get a better return.
Marlins are asking if they can enter the chat?
The Marlins can enter clearly the chat. I don’t know why they would want a rental when they have seven tenths of a percent chance to make the playoffs.
You mentioned in the article that Marte has benefitted from a high BABIP when in fact he’s been around that number his whole career.
It would be so LOLmets to trade a clubhouse leader in Marte when they’re the form team in baseball coming off a weekend sweep of the Giants on a West Coast road trip.
I’m normally pretty lenient on these articles, but this is one of the dumbest click bait ones I’ve seen. Sure folks are interested which would be relevant if the Mets were in no position to make the playoffs.
Marte whose contract expires at the end of the season subtracts more from the Mets if traded than adds to them. The fact is when Marte plays they win. He’s a quality veteran bat to pinch hit if on the bench. He’s a leader in the clubhouse. Chemistry matters in a clubhouse more than people think. I’d be pissed if he was traded.
This only makes sense to me if they have a deal for a CF lined up and it doesnt include them sending out anyone on the major league roster.
For various reasons, the Mets cant/wont demote any of their young infielders. That leaves Marte or Taylor as the only options to create a spot. I suspect the Mets would prefer Taylor since he can actually play the OF.
I’m figuring either the Mets are covering his entire salary in the deal and getting back a very young prospect with some ceiling but who isn’t anywhere on prospect rankings right now; or, they are just getting a couple of million in salary relief (including tax).
Keep Marte because Mets would be 1 winker vientos Mauricio hamstring pull away from not having a DH. Baty and vientos will emerge as steady hands for years on this team at low cost.
Keep all 3. Marte contract ends after this year.