2024 Mets outlook: Starling Marte expectations and predictions

Starling Marte was dynamite for the New York Mets in 2022, but the groin injury he suffered in September of that year still has effects on Marte and the team to this day. It could be argued that Marte's injury started the tailspin that month that caused them to lose the NL East to the Atlanta Braves, and eventually, an unexpected exit in the Wild Card round.

Marte proceeded then to play only 86 games in 2023 as it was clear he wasn't 100 percent healthy. It was a reason the Mets lineup didn't produce at their amazing 2022 levels. Almost his entire game was thrown out of whack, as his batting averaged dropped by 42 points and his OPS dipped by nearly 200 points.

But what can we expect from Marte in 2024? Can he give the Mets anything close to what he gave in 2022 when he was healthy?

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte's 2024 outlook is uncertain due to recent injury history, but is a trade candidate if he performs well and stays healthy.

We won't know how productive Marte will be this season until we see him in action this spring. However, we can look to his time in winter ball in the Dominican Republic last month. If Andy Martino's positive reviews of his time in the LIDOM league translates to production for the 2024 Mets, then that would be a big boost to this team.

But what we can tell you for certain is that when Marte is healthy, he is a fun player to watch. In the field, his defense was solid and he possesses an outstanding arm in right field, where his average throw was over 91 mph in each of the past two seasons. Offensively, he is a dynamic difference maker. His quality contact hitting, his speed on the bases, and occasional power surges are three unique problems the other team has to game plan around on a nightly basis. But this is who he is when he is healthy.

For playing time purposes, Marte will primarily play right field when he plays, and then DJ Stewart would play occasionally when he sits. If Harrison Bader can play the type of center field defense he is capable of playing, especially with his range, that will benefite Marte and his game immensely.

For those who paid attention to the Mets' offseason plans, the Mets are not built to win a World Series in 2024, as they let their young players prove that they belong in their future plans. Starling Marte could absolutely be a trade candidate if he has some trade value as Drew Gilbert could make a rise to the majors this summer.

2024 stat predictions: .250 AVG, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 25 SB, .700 OPS