3 MLB teams the NY Mets should call about a Starling Marte trade

Starling Marte has been more of a speculative New York Mets trade candidate with rumors dropping last week that the team is willing to eat a part of his contract to move on from the veteran outfielder. It’ll take at least half of his contract eaten by the Mets to get anything significant in return.

The first task is finding a team where he’d actually fit. Marte does have some good qualities. He can hit lefties and steal bases. A quasi-right fielder with a more likely stay as a team’s DH in 2025, we need to look at particular ball clubs.

Ones who struggled against left-handed pitching, didn’t get much out of right fielders or DHs last year, and are looking to compete in 2025 are the best matches. Furthermore, ones with a bullpen piece to part with adds to it. Where should the Mets begin?

1) Cincinnati Reds

Previously covered on Rising Apple is the idea of trading Marte to the Cincinnati Reds. Their DHs had a combined -3.3 WAR last year which was worse than even the Chicago White Sox. Right field wasn’t much better at -1.6.

The Reds fit an even better theme for Marte. They stunk against left-handed pitching. The .226 batting average was only better than the aforementioned White Sox as well as the Seattle Mariners who hit just .213 versus southpaws this past year.

Pitching is what helped keep the Reds relevant and a pair of arms in their bullpen could be potential targets in a swap with the Mets involving Marte. Veterans Brent Suter and Sam Moll are lefty relievers coming off of good years. They’d be the primary choice although one would have to imagine David Stearns and his pals could always have eyes on someone with talent but not the results.

Cincinnati is fully capable of capturing the NL Central next year. Some veteran guidance in the lineup will improve them. If used almost exclusively against lefties, Marte could put together a superb season in Cincy.