Mets' Starling Marte Reportedly Draws Trade Interest amid 2025 Deadline Rumors

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte is reportedly generating interest ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, teams "have been asking" the Mets about Marte's availability.

Given the Mets' standing as the National League East leaders, it is somewhat difficult to envision them parting ways with a 36-year-old veteran and significant contributor like Marte unless it is part of a major deal that helps the team now.

In 59 games this season, Marte is slashing .275/.356/.395 with four home runs, 20 RBI, 22 runs scored and five stolen bases.

Marte began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning his first All-Star selection with the team in 2016, before spending time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins and Oakland Athletics from 2020 to 2021.

The Mets signed Marte to a four-year, $78 million contract prior to the 2022 season, and while he has been productive at times when healthy, he has struggled to stay on the field.

Marte's best season to date in New York is his first, as he slashed .292/.347/.468 with 16 homers, 63 RBI, 76 runs and 18 steals, and was named an All-Star in 2022.

Injuries limited him to 86 games in 2023 and 94 games in 2024, though, and he collectively hit .258 with 12 home runs, 68 RBI and 40 steals over those two seasons.

Before getting reinstated from the injured list on Tuesday, Marte missed over two weeks this month with a bruised right knee.

Although Marte is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner in the outfield, he has made only five appearances in the outfield this season, spending most of his time at designated hitter.

While Marte was the Mets' regular DH before getting hurt, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reported this week that Marte is expected to split time at DH with Mark Vientos moving forward, plus he could see some occasional work in the outfield.

The righty-swinging Marte has fairly even splits against right-handed and left-handed pitchers this season, meaning he can bring value to the lineup regardless of who is on the mound.

It can be argued that the Mets have a glut of players competing for at-bats, though, with Marte, Vientos, Brett Baty, Jeff McNeil and Jesse Winker all in the mix.

Trading Marte may not be high on the Mets' list of priorities, but since he is set to become a free agent during the offseason, it may be something worth considering if they can address other areas of need in a trade involving Marte or in a separate deal.