Mets Made Right Decision Not Overpaying for Starling Marte
By Michael Luciano
The Pittsburgh Pirates are destined for a rebuild, and in order to expedite that process the team is offloading some key players. On Monday, one of their franchise cornerstones was dealt to Arizona.
The Diamondbacks acquired former All-Star center fielder Starling Marte from the Pirates in exchange for two top prospects. Arizona beat out the likes of the San Diego Padres and New York Mets in their pursuit of Marte.
While Mets fans may be disappointed they missed out on their trade target, it may end up being for the better.
OFFICIAL: We have acquired infielder Liover Peguero and right-handed pitcher Brennan Malone from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Starling Marte and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/AtF4ffgYL3
— Pirates (@Pirates) January 27, 2020
The ill-fated Edwin Diaz trade has left the Mets pretty threadbare as it pertains to future star prospects at the top of their farm system. The acquisition of Brennan Malone, the 33rd overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft is just evidence that the Mets would have needed to part ways with some of their best youngsters in order to land Marte.
Furthermore, Brandon Nimmo, while often injured, has proven to be just a notch below Marte as a player, and he'll cost the Mets much less than what Arizona is paying the 31-year-old.
Mets fans may be disappointed about this, but all indications are that the Pirates wouldn't relent on their ask for Nimmo-plus.
— Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) January 27, 2020
NYM didn't want to do it, and they were likely right...
Marte (since 2017): 8.1 fWAR
Nimmo (since 2017): 7.0 fWAR
Nimmo is also 5 years younger. https://t.co/CsyjWtkfhC
Marte would have been a flashy name that could help the Mets in their pursuit of the postseason, but Nimmo has proven to be at least comparable to him, and at a vastly discounted price.
It took some admirable restraint from Brodie Van Wagenan not to pull the trigger.