Starling Marte can be 37 years outdated this week, however when requested a number of weeks in the past how he felt about being one of many elder statesmen of the Mets, he simply laughed. He had each knees taped up, he was practically three years faraway from double-groin surgical procedure and two years faraway from a season the place he performed in ache because of the surgical procedure.
Nonetheless, the outfielder seemed across the clubhouse noting the gamers who additionally got here from the Dominican Republic.
“We’re always happy,” Marte stated. “Always.”
Marte lately performed the fourth and remaining 12 months of his contract. A veteran who broke into the league 14 years in the past, the Mets might need a case to re-sign him as soon as he turns into a free agent following the conclusion of the World Sequence.
A lot has been manufactured from his friendship with Juan Soto, and conserving your star participant blissful isn’t a nasty factor, however the Mets have lengthy seen management out of Marte, appreciating his work ethic and angle, particularly whereas working by way of accidents.
Marte was a helpful participant for the Mets in 2025, and may very well be subsequent season as properly if he’s prepared to play the identical function. In 98 video games, he slashed .270/.335/.410 with 9 house runs, 14 doubles and 7 stolen bases, barely out-performing his anticipated numbers in 98 video games. His 111 OPS+ was his highest since 22, when he was a key cog for a Mets staff that received 101 video games.
For the primary time in his profession, he wasn’t taking part in each day, and he barely performed within the outfield (65 innings). There was the knee damage that flared up once more in July, elevating questions on his well being as soon as once more.
However after a gradual begin on the plate, he seemed like his outdated self in Might and June, and got here by way of for the Mets after they wanted him essentially the most in August.
Whereas he downplays the adjustment interval, the Mets noticed a decided participant who turned his season round after understanding how you can higher put together for a reserve function.
“A guy that got comfortable after the first six weeks of the season and understood that he needed to have a new routine,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza stated. “Not only in the training room, but on the field, with the way he was taking BP inside and outside, going through his defensive drills. And man, when you look at the season he’s having in that role, he’s been pretty good for us.”
The Mets largely went the way in which Marte went in 2022, and when he was injured in September, they slid. Once more this season, when Marte had an excellent sport, the Mets normally did too. He hit .292 with an .813 OPS in wins (160 plate appearances), driving in 19 runs and hitting 4 homers. This isn’t Marte’s staff anymore, and actually, it wasn’t in 2022 both — Francisco Lindor is the on-field chief, a key clubhouse chief and has been for the reason that Mets traded for him — however he’s nonetheless a participant that others reply to.
Ronny Mauricio follows him round like a pet at occasions, wanting to study from somebody he grew up watching within the Dominican Republic. Soto, a decade youthful than Marte, got here to the Mets with a deep respect for what his fellow countryman had completed, bonding with him throughout rides round Florida throughout spring coaching. But it’s Marte who says he’s discovered from Soto this season.
“It’s pretty fun to watch him work,” Marte stated. “Great guy, great player, great hitter, and he’s become a great base runner. Anytime you can be around him and watch him play, you can take a lot from that.”
Whereas he nonetheless runs them properly, his dash pace has cratered for the reason that groin accidents. He solely tried to steal 9 occasions this season, and he didn’t try to advance on the identical fee as he as soon as did. Regardless of his willingness to play wherever within the outfield, the Mets used him in there solely 12 occasions, giving him eight begins (six in left, two in proper). His arm remains to be sturdy and he wasn’t a legal responsibility in restricted motion, nevertheless it’s powerful to know what he can provide a staff defensively.
Nonetheless, there could be extra professionals than cons in bringing Marte again as a bench bat. The Mets will in the end be those to weigh the choices, however given all the things he brings on and off the sphere, he may very well be an excellent choice.
