Chances of NY Mets trading Starling Marte got a lot harder this week

The New York Mets are rumored to want to move veteran outfielder Starling Marte. The Mets signed the former all-star in the 2021-2022 off-season to a four-year contract worth $78 million. The first year of the deal went great, as Marte had a 133 wRC+, played solid outfield defense, made the All-Star game, and even received some down-ballot MVP votes.

However, the last two seasons of the contract have not gone nearly as well. Marte has played less than 100 games in 2023 and 2024. In ‘23, he had just a .625 OPS, .278 wOBA, and 75 wRC+. Marte rebounded to a degree in ‘24, with a .715 OPS, .313 wOBA, and 104 wRC+, but Marte missed two months between June 18th to August 18th and fell off hard after returning from injury. After recovering, he had just a .635 OPS, .282 wOBA, and 82 wRC+. It also hasn’t helped that Marte’s one Gold Glove-caliber defense has also fallen by the wayside, with -13 defensive runs saved and -14 outs above average over the previous two seasons. Plus, he will be heading into his age-36 campaign.

The Mets are trying to shed the remaining year on Marte’s deal. He only has one season left and is getting paid $20.75 million in 2025. The Mets are even reportedly willing to pay part of Marte’s 2025 salary in order to move him. However, after some recent rumors and other trades, the Mets’ ability to move Marte may have gotten a lot harder.

According to Jeff Passan, Marte isn’t the only outfielder that is on the trading block. Mike Yastrzemski, Taylor Ward, Lane Thomas, and Luis Robert Jr. are also reportedly players who could get moved soon. Even if teams are willing to acquire a short-term rental, Yaz, Ward, and Thomas each are coming off just as good, if not better, seasons than Marte, will be making a lot less in 2025, and are younger players. Robert Jr. is making less in 2025 than Marte and has all-star caliber upside when healthy. 

The Mets aren't going to have an easy time finding a suitor in a Starling Marte trade.

Another trade that shows why it’ll be difficult for the Mets to move Marte is the Chicago Cubs sending Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees. Bellinger is owed a minimum of $32.5 million, as he has a $5 million buyout after 2025. But he could turn that into a $25 million player option, raising his potential earnings to $52.5 million. The Cubs sent $5 million with Bellinger but got next to nothing in return. Sure, Marte is owed less than Bellinger for one season, but if the Cubs had a difficult time unloading Bellinger, who is only 29 and was still an above-average hitter with solid defense in the outfield and first base during 2024, the Mets are going to have an extremely rough time trying to unload what’s left on Marte’s deal.

Plus, the Mets might have to eat more of Marte’s contract than what the Cubs did for Bellinger. At that point, it might not even be worth trading Marte. The Mets may end up having to bite the bullet and keep Marte around for 2025. At the very least, he can still hit lefty pitchers well. Last season, he slashed .310/.384/.460 with a 141 wRC+ in 113 plate appearances against Southpaws. The Mets should look to pair him with a hitter who bats against right-handed pitchers well, like Joc Pederson, at designated hitter.