The Mets have interest in trading for Pirates CF Starling Marte. Here's the latest...
Jan. 27, 2:04 PM:
The Diamondbacks have acquired Marte from the Pirates in exchange for two prospects, according to multiple reports.
INF Liover Peguero is one of the prospects, according to Robert Murray. RHP Brennan Malone is the second prospect, according to Jon Heyman.
Neither prospect headed to the Pirates was on MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects list that was recently released. The Pirates had five players on the list. Malone is No. 9 on MLB Pipeline's Pirates top 30 list and Peguero is No. 18.
SNY's Andy Martino reported Monday that the Mets had deemed the Pirates' price for Marte "unreasonable."
In talks with the Mets, the Pirates had asked for big league and minor league talent, according to Martino. Names that were floated included Brandon Nimmo and Ronny Mauricio.
Jan. 24, 11:53 AM:
SNY's Andy Martino reported that while the Mets and Pirates have remained in touch on and off since November -- and that there is interest on the Mets' end -- the two sides remain "far apart" on a potential deal.
Multiple league sources also told Martino that the Pirates still seem to be in the stage where the ask is big -- major leaguers and prospects. He added that would probably have to come down before Marte is moved anywhere.
Jon Heyman previously reported earlier on Friday that talks were "intensifying," and listed the Mets and Padres as the two suitors.
With the Mets near the $208 million luxury tax threshold, it's fair to wonder if they would need to clear salary in order to take on Marte, who is owed $11.5 million in 2020.
Jan. 24, 8:33 AM:
Marte-to-the-Mets remains a possibility with just about two weeks to go until spring training, but New York could have competition from the Padres.
San Diego has engaged in discussions with the Pirates for Marte, though those talks have "cooled, likely over the asking price" Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported on Thursday. Talks cooling off over Pittsburgh's asking price wouldn't be a surprise, since the Pirates have reportedly been seeking an absolute haul for Marte -- a relatively expensive player over 30 years old with just two years left of team control.
In addition to inquiring about Marte, the Padres have also engaged the Red Sox in talks for Mookie Betts, according to Lin, who cited sources who said a deal between the Sox and Padres for Betts was "unlikely."
Jan 20, 11:25 PM:
On Monday, SNY's Baseball Night in New York discussed reports that the Mets and Pirates are once again discussing a trade for the Pirates outfielder.
Video: Should the Mets push for a Starling Marte trade?
Jan 18, 7:44 PM:
The Mets and Pirates have recently reopened trade talks, sources have told Robert Murray. However, no deal between the two sides appears to be imminent.
The Mets showed some interest in Marte back in December, but talks died down before New Year's Day.
Dec. 26, 8:54 PM:
While rumors have quieted down in recent days, the Mets and Pirates 'exchanged names' on a proposed Starling Marte deal at some point, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
Heyman reports that Brandon Nimmo's name has come up in these trade talks, but the Pirates may prefer a package of prospects.
Aside from the Mets, the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Rangers are among the other teams to inquire about Marte's availability.
Dec. 20, 8:32 AM:
The Mets are making "minimal progress" toward a trade for Marte, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who adds that team officials are not "especially motivated" to trade for Marte.
According to Rosenthal, one of the reasons the Mets aren't that motivated to trade for Marte is Carlos Beltran's belief that recently-acquired Jake Marisnick will play very well if he receives more playing time in New York than he did in Houston.
While the Mets reportedly aren't hell-bent on trading for Marte, adding his $11.5 million salary for 2020 to the books recently became easier due to Yoenis Cespedes' contract being amended to pay him significantly less this season.
As things currently stand, the Mets will likely enter the season with J.D. Davis in left field, a combination of Brandon Nimmo and Marisnick in center, and Michael Conforto in right.
Adding Marte would conceivably push Marisnick to the bench on a regular basis and make things interesting when it comes to playing time for Davis and Nimmo.
Dec. 13, 12:46 PM:
In addition to the Mets and Padres, the Reds have also inquired with the Pirates about a trade for Marte, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
According to Rosenthal, the Phillies could also be a fit for Marte.
With the Mets having added $13 million in salary commitments since they began inquiring about Marte, it could be hard for them to absorb his $11.5 million salary at the moment. But that could change if they move another player such as Jed Lowrie.
Dec. 12, 11:22 AM:
A potential acquisition of Marte from the Pirates is neither "dead nor close," SNY's Andy Martino reported, adding that the Mets are open to being creative.
When it comes to Brandon Nimmo potentially heading to Pittsburgh, though, it would not be a one-for-one deal.
"No one would ever do a Nimmo for Marte straight up," Martino said late Wednesday night. "I don't think that either team would do that"
Dec. 11, 8:16 PM:
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that the Padres have entered the Marte sweepstakes. Meanwhile, the Mets and Pirates continue to be engaged in talks about a potential deal.
Dec. 10, 10:06 PM:
Despite trading for Jake Marisnick, the Mets are still interested in the potential of trading for Marte, SNY's Andy Martino reported.
The Mets would likely need to trade a major league outfielder in any deal for Marte, Martino added.
Dec. 10, 10:56 AM:
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Monday that part of the reason why the Mets swung the deal for Jake Marisnick when they did was because of a fear that they would be unable to land Marte. And Rosenthal suggested that Marte could still be in play.
Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported Tuesday that the Mets have not ruled out Marte and that they would meet with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings, adding that the Pirates are seeking a "young, controllable" catcher.
The 31-year-old Marte is owed $11.5 million this coming season and his contract contains a $12.5 million team option (and $2 million buyout) for the 2021 season.
For his part, Marte would welcome a trade to the Mets. And the Pirates, who are rebuilding and aren't expected to contend in 2020, should be looking to cash in.
"They (Pirates) have the power to decide," Marte told Hector Gomez in late-November. "If I had it in me, I left now because the caliber of players we have is not to compete in a World Series. The Mets have it all, it would be a great opportunity to play with them."
