PORT ST. LUCIE — Starling Marte remains to be right here.
When the Mets signed proper fielder Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract in December, Marte’s standing appeared to be in query. The veteran proper fielder was stellar for the Mets in 2022, the primary 12 months of his four-year pact, however groin and knee accidents considerably restricted his manufacturing over the past two years. It’s not that the Mets had been trying to substitute him, however they needed Soto and his bat within the lineup. And after they landed him, it meant some uncomfortable conversations with Marte.
Now, heading into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, he’ll play a unique position for the Mets as a platoon DH and a reserve outfielder.
“They told me I’ll be DH’ing and sometimes I’ll step in for a player who is down,” Marte stated Sunday by way of the workforce translator. “I just have to go out there and compete whenever my number is called to help out the team in any way possible. I’m going to give my best every single time, every opportunity.”
It’s not solely clear if the 2 events are pleased with this association or not, and it’s not solely clear if the Mets tried to commerce Marte, or how laborious they tried to commerce him.
Marte stated the Mets advised him they might attempt to facilitate a commerce after they signed Soto, however later within the dialog, Marte stated he was right here as a result of the Mets needed him to be right here.
“If they wanted to trade me, they would have traded me,” he stated, once more by way of the workforce translator. “Obviously, I’m here for a reason.”
When requested for clarification, Marte stated, “They could have tried, but again, I’m still here.”
In fact, the considering may have modified since then, however the one factor that has been made clear is that the Mets have questions on Marte’s potential to remain wholesome. The workforce downplayed the difficulty along with his knee final fall, however just lately revealed that he was nonetheless rehabbing it over the winter. Marte stated he’ll be prepared for Opening Day.
Marte needs to play every single day and doesn’t like sitting on the bench or entering into the lineup as a DH, however he’s planning to work out in middle subject and probably in left subject this spring to have the ability to play wherever he’s wanted. The outfield is crowded with Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, Soto and Marte, however taking part in time usually tends to work itself out and the Mets are already planning on utilizing Marte in proper subject when Soto is within the lineup as a DH.
Whereas Marte’s metrics rated him poorly defensively final season, the Mets suppose he was higher than the numbers confirmed. Soto’s protection is taken into account “league average” in keeping with president of baseball operations David Stearns, and so they’re placing collectively a plan for him to work with outfield coach Antoan Richardson this spring. Individuals who have labored with Soto or performed with him describe him as a coachable, and at solely 26, there isn’t any purpose to consider he can’t enhance, particularly since he made strides final season with the Yankees.
“The jumps got better last year, he did a good job with his jumps. His routes, whether it’s a deeper route, might be something that is in there,” Mendoza stated. “We haven’t had that conversation with him yet, but we have a plan in place. We also want to hear from him.”
Soto stated he needs to win a Gold Glove after coming shut final season. Nonetheless, his poor protection left many questioning the choice course of, particularly since Francisco Lindor was not named one of many NL finalists at shortstop.
The Mets additionally suppose Soto can enhance his baserunning, one thing Marte excels at.
It’s an fascinating scenario, however there doesn’t look like any resentment. Marte needs to win a championship and is aware of Soto can assist the Mets try this. The Mets suppose Marte can nonetheless affect video games in varied methods.
It won’t be ultimate, however profitable helps resolve a variety of issues.
“At the end of the day, I’m here,” Marte stated. “The most important thing for me is to do my best in whatever role that I’m in.”
