MLB rumors: A failed NY Mets-Royals trade from December's Winter Meetings

It is being reported that the Mets were in talks with the Royals regarding Starling Marte and a reliever.

Championship Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets - Game 5
Championship Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets - Game 5 | Sarah Stier/GettyImages

According to Sports Illustrated's Pat Ragazzo, the New York Mets explored a trade with the Kansas City Royals during the Winter Meetings that would have sent Starling Marte to the Royals in exchange for reliever Hunter Harvey. In addition, the Mets would have also paid down some of Marte's salary as a sweetener to the deal.

With this news coming out now rather than when it was first offered could possibly mean the Mets may have a different view on Marte's future in Queens. It is important to point out that Marte is entering the final year of his contract at the age of 36 and is owed $20.75 million. Currently, it looks like Marte should be a platoon at DH with Jesse Winker but anything could happen this offseason. Marte has shown signs of decline over the years but could play better if he isn't in the outfield as much and focuses on being a reliable DH.

According to OOPSY (projection system to estimate player performance), Marte is projected to have a slash line of .254/.312/.384 along with 7 HR's and 27 RBI's in 66 games. Those numbers don't add up to the amount he's owed whatsoever but it's hard seeing a team want to acquire him.

Why would the Mets go for Hunter Harvey?

It has been clear that one of David Stearns' biggest goals this offseason was to upgrade the bullpen to the highest level possible and acquiring an arm like Harvey would have been a start. During the trade deadline last July, it looked like the Mets were in need of a reliever and Harvey was on the market but ended up being traded from the Nationals to Royals. In 2024, Harvey had a 4.44 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, and .333 BABIP 50.2 innings pitched. His pitch repertoire contains two main pitches which are a 4-seam fastball (thrown 570 times in 2024) and splitter (thrown 210 times in 2024) while occasionally utilizing his curveball (thrown 84 times in 2024) and slider (thrown 42 times in 2024).

- In high-leverage situations (20.1 IP) in 2024, Harvey had an opponent batting average of .205 along with a 1.03 WHIP, .250 BABIP, and 3.66 FIP while giving up 14 earned runs.
- With men on base (30.1 IP) in 2024, Harvey had an opponent batting average of .210 including a 1.03 WHIP, .275 BABIP, and 3.20 FIP while giving up 23 earned runs.

The chances of the Mets and Royals getting back to any type of discussions regarding Starling Marte and another reliever seem very low as New York's bullpen is in much better shape after signing A.J. Minter.

Schedule