MLB Trade Rumors: Mets' Starling Marte Was Targeted by Royals During Offseason

The Kansas City Royals "made a push to acquire Starling Marte" from the New York Mets this winter, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Sherman added that the Royals have "not totally extinguished" the possibility of trading for Marte.

The Royals are still looking for a veteran to slot fifth in their batting order after missing out on Anthony Santander in free agency, according to Sherman.

Marte is set to serve as a platoon DH and reserve outfielder following the Mets' acquisition of Juan Soto this offseason, per Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. He is due $20.75 million on the final season of his expiring contract, per Spotrac.

The Mets announced on Dec. 11 that the club had signed Soto to a 15-year deal.

Marte told reporters in February that the Mets had told him both before and after Soto's signing they would attempt to trade him this offseason.

“They were very clear, very honest with me up front," Marte said through an interpreter on Feb. 12, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "They obviously want the best for this team, but also the best for my future."

At the time of the Soto signing, The Athletic's Tim Britton and Will Sammon reported the Mets "would be willing to absorb some of Starling Marte’s salary in a trade."

But the Mets didn't end up trading Marte, and president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters on Feb. 12 that he "would anticipate, by and large, this is the team we're going forward with."

Marte slashed .269/.388/.715 with seven home runs, 40 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 94 games last season.

He also missed significant time for a second straight season. After missing the end of the 2023 season with a groin injury, Marte was sidelined last season with a right knee bone bruise.

That knee has continued to be an issue for Marte this spring. Marte has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, and manager Carlos Mendoza said last week that the Mets didn't expect to see him in game action "anytime soon," per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post.

After missing out on Santander to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Royals could still potentially decide to take a chance on Marte's ability to bounce back from injury to add experience to their batting order next season.