Monday Morning GM: Starling Marte signing looks different with him in RF

Starling Marte is expected to begin the season in right field for the New York Mets. It’s not Brandon Nimmo replacing Michael Conforto out there. It’s the new guy, Marte.

There are a few reasons for it. Marte’s oblique injury plus Nimmo’s defensive growth last year certainly seemed to play a factor. Marte also does have the best arm of the three starting outfielders and right field is a spot where you could always use a cannon.

Given Marte’s position change from day one, signing him all of a sudden looks a little bit different.

The Starling Marte deal looks different with the Mets moving him to right field

Is it a bad deal now? The Mets could have gone with a different option if it was a right fielder they were seeking. There are many more gifted hitters that play the position than there are center fielders. Should we suddenly hate the signing?

Not in the least. It’s different but not bad. If anything, this can help delay his inevitable breakdown. With a known ability to also play center field, he serves as good protection against a Nimmo injury. What’s more, Marte is in line to possibly move back to center field as a regular in 2023 if Nimmo walks or proves to be ineffective defensively this year.

If there is some umbrage to take it’s how little true power the Mets will get out of their expected regular outfielders. Mark Canha may have the most power and even he doesn’t have all that much. The three of them could combine for maybe 60 at the most. It’s not a bad number but it is a little depleting to have no power-hitting outfielder.

The Mets, as an entire roster, have less guaranteed power than a lot of clubs. Pete Alonso is their only true home run hitter. Francisco Lindor and Eduardo Escobar are capable of knocking 30 yet don’t have the guarantee in their arsenal. Home runs aren’t everything but they can be an important factor. They are the quickest way to put a dent in the scoreboard.

A move to right field for Marte isn’t bad, good, or even a major difference in the outlook of this team. The lineup hasn’t changed. The salary structure remains the same. We’ll still get to see him in center field at some point anyway. Mets fans are being reminded of this cruel fact early on in the 2022 season: injuries are going to happen.