Diamondbacks Reportedly Complete Trade For Pirates OF Starling Marte

Trade talks surrounding Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte have been immensely sporadic this offseason.

Rumors surfaced at the start, then proceeded to go dormant for a time, only to recently pick back up again. By all accounts, it seemed the New York Mets and San Diego Padres were frontrunners to acquire the star outfielder..

Well, in an unexpected twist, the Arizona Diamondbacks have swooped in and completed a deal for the 31-year-old veteran.

Much like their bombshell signing of Madison Bumgarner, the D-Backs came virtually out of nowhere to land Marte.

Reports indicate that Arizona will send two prospects back to Pittsburgh, one being right-handed hurler Brennan Malone, a first-round selection (No. 33 overall) in last year's draft.

Additionally, the Diamondbacks will cough up heralded 19-year-old shortstop Liover Peguero, who compiled a .299/.354/.428 slash line in two full seasons at the minor league ranks in 2018 and 2019.

Marte, on the other hand, enjoyed on the of best seasons of his eight-year career in 2019, hitting .295/.342/.503 with 23 home runs, 82 RBI, and 97 runs scored. He even managed to swipe 25 bases, proving that he's still one of baseball's most prolific baserunners at age 31.

Adding Marte and Bumgarner to an 85-77 team suggests that Arizona could be poised to contend in 2020. What a get for the Snakes.