NY Mets: 3 trades to explore with their NL East rivals before the deadline

Marlins: CF Starling Marte

With the Miami Marlins currently sitting in last place in the NL East, they are the safest bets to be traders at this year’s deadline, while their starting center fielder is having an All-Star year, making him a trade target for any contending team.

The Marlins acquired Starling Marte in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, and aided their postseason run in the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season. He was under contract with the team for the 2021 season as well, and has continued to perform at a high level.

Currently, Marte is batting .302 with a .404 OBP, with 6 HR and 18 RBI with 12 SB through 43 games over the first half of the 2021 season. He did miss time in late April and most of May, but since his return, Marte has continued to perform at a very high level for the Marlins.

Beyond that, his contract is set to expire following the 2021 season and Miami is very unlikely to re-sign him, meaning Marte is prime to be moved, the Mets would be smart to act quickly to acquire his services.

The Mets have dealt with a number of injuries in their outfield, and even when healthy, players like Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith are batting below their expectations at the plate.

Bringing in Marte would add a red hot bat to the top of the Mets’ lineup and a former gold glove in center field, which would allow Brandon Nimmo to shift into one of the corners. It would also bring in another right-handed bat in what is a very left-handed heavy lineup.

If the Mets are going all-in on a championship run in 2021 as so many years of falling short, then getting a player like Marte would go a long way in aiding their chances. Despite taking place within their own division, this could be a trade well worth the Mets pursuing.