Mets Face Roster Crunch After Alonso’s Return – What’s Next for Marte?
Pete Alonso’s return to the Mets creates an interesting roster puzzle, particularly around veteran outfielder Starling Marte’s role with the team.
Before bringing Alonso back, the Mets had positioned themselves differently, notably signing Jesse Winker as their designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Now that Alonso’s locked in at first base, the dominoes are falling in a way that leaves Marte without a clear path to playing time.
The situation’s especially tricky because Marte’s set to make $19.5 million this season – the final year of his four-year contract. That’s hefty money for a player who might struggle to find regular at-bats.
Juan Soto’s arrival in right field, Marte’s former position, further complicates things. The Mets’ outfield picture has changed dramatically since Marte first signed, and he’s now looking like the odd man out.
Empire Sports Media’s Alexander Wilson suggests the Mets should look to trade Marte to any team willing to take on even a portion of his salary. It’s not just about clearing his spot – it’s about managing the luxury tax implications for a team that’s now sitting at about $324.8 million in tax salary.
“Offloading Marte’s contract won’t be easy, but there’s always a team willing to take a chance on a veteran if the Mets are willing to eat part of the deal or attach a prospect as a sweetener,” Wilson writes.
The way things are shaping up, moving Marte might be the most logical path forward. While the Mets probably won’t get much more than a low-level prospect in return, finding a trade partner would help them create some financial flexibility while giving Marte a chance to play regularly elsewhere.
That said, any interested team would likely want to see if the 36-year-old can stay healthy – something that’s been a challenge lately. But for a club looking for a short-term outfield solution, Marte’s track record as a two-time All-Star might be worth the gamble.
