Mets cap off huge day with Starling Marte Deal
Just when we thought they were done, the Mets kept their Black Friday splurge going by signing veteran outfielder Starling Marte to a 4-year/$78 million deal—the cherry on top of an incredibly busy day for New York’s front office. In less than six hours, the Mets added three significant pieces to their roster. With the additions of Marte, Eduardo Escobar, and Mark Canha, the Mets are changing the entire dynamic of their offense.
Marte, 33, is coming off what is probably his best season, in which he slashed .310/.383/.458 to go along with 12 home runs, a 134 wRC+, and a league-leading 47 stolen bases in 120 games with the Marlins and Athletics. The one drawback to the speedy outfielder’s phenomenal 2021 campaign is that his power numbers saw a slight dropoff from what he has done in recent years, but much of that can be attributed to the fact that he missed 42 games.
But, the Mets didn’t sign Marte for his power: they expect him to be the high average stolen base threat the Mets have so desperately needed, and at the same time a defensive upgrade in center field. This move allows Brandon Nimmo, who has struggled defensively in recent years, to move to either left or right, with Canha manning the other corner outfield position. However, this likely means the end of the Michael Conforto era in Queens.
The Mets have had their eyes on Marte, who has been considered in trade discussions a number of times over the last few years. Well, New York finally got their guy Friday night—snatching by far the best centerfielder on the open market. The Mets have lacked a true centerfielder since the days of Juan Lagares, who, as Mets fans know, was not known for his bat. The same can not be said for Marte, who has proven year after year that he can get it done on both sides of the ball. With their signing of Marte, the Mets capped off Friday's total roster makeover with an exclamation point—securing themselves one of the biggest stars on the Free Agent market. Not only did this move fill a major hole that the Amazins’ have had for far too long. It also sent a message that they are far from finished making moves this offseason.
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