Pirates' Starling Marte Trade Talks With Mets and Padres Reportedly 'Intensifying'
By Michael Luciano
The MLB offseason might finally be winding to a close, but the likes of Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte are still on the trading block.
According to Jon Heyman, both the New York Mets and San Diego Padres, who have been angling for a Marte deal seemingly all offseason, have starting up trade talks for Marte once again.
Hearing Starling Marte talks are intensifying. Mets, Padres. Still a chance something gets done before spring training.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 24, 2020
Marte might not have made an All-Star team, but he might have had the best season of his career in 2019. Marte hit .295 while launching a career-best 23 home runs and driving in 82 runs, the highest mark of his baseball life. He also added 25 stolen bases for good measure.
The Padres have more ammunition to get a deal done than the Mets, as they currently have oodles of prospects in Double-A and Triple-A, including catching prospects that the Pirates reportedly covet in any potential Marte trade.
Trade talks for #Pirates outfielder Starling Marte are intensifying, with the #Mets and #Padres interested, according to @JonHeyman. Here's a look at what each team has to offer in terms of prospects:@Mets: https://t.co/26YjKN5JiR@Padres: https://t.co/z72mEGzFCU pic.twitter.com/iEXVOQJq8r
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) January 24, 2020
Both New York and San Diego could use a little more pop at the top of the order, and Marte provides a consistent hitter, base-stealer, and defender that can be slotted in at the leadoff spot and rake until he's blue in the face. This would be a massive move for either of these clubs, as it would help them keep pace with the heavyweights in their division.