The Mets continue to be linked to Pirates outfielder Starling Marte.

According to SNY Insider Andy Martino, the team is still in on the 31-year-old, and they would likely need to trade a major league outfielder in any deal for him.

Brodie Van Wagenen admitted that the team currently has a surplus of outfielders, with Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, JD Davis, Yoenis Cespedes, Jake Marisnick, and even Dom Smith, who can play both left field and first base.

Martino adds that the Mets are open to dealing Nimmo, who played in just 69 games in 2019 due to a neck injury.

In four seasons with the Mets, Nimmo has hit .254 with a .387 OBP. Once he was healthy in 2019, he took on the role as the team's starting center fielder. As of now, he'd likely split center field duties with Marisnick, but that would of course all change if a deal for Marte is reached.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman has also reported that the Mets and Pirates have had talks about the outfielder, with specific names being discussed. Heyman notes it's unclear how far these talks have progressed.

Marte, an All-Star in 2016, is a career .287 hitter with 108 home runs and 420 runs batted in. In 2019, he hit .295 with a .342 OBP and .452 slugging percentage. He also put up the best power numbers of his career, blasting 23 home runs in 586 plate appearances.

Video: A Starling Marte deal could include Nimmo, not McNeil

Additionally, Martino notes that the Mets are looking to trade Jed Lowrie in order to free up money to potentially add a player like Rick Porcello or Dellin Betances.

Porcello and the Mets have been linked throughout the offseason, and the two sides have reportedly had talks.

As for Betances, SNY's Matthew Cerrone has reported that rival executives believe the right-hander will be deciding between the Mets and Yankees.

The Mets signed Lowrie last offseason to a two-year, $20 million deal, but a plethora of injuries limited the infielder to just nine games and eight plate appearances.

ABRIANO: 5 free agent relievers Mets could target at Winter Meetings >> Read More

Popular in the Community