Big League Bombshell: Mets Deal Away $78 Million Two-Time Gold Glover in Jaw-Dropping Four-Player Trade

The New York Mets have landed the biggest acquisition of the Major League Baseball offseason — in fact, the biggest one in sports history, based on total salary — and now they might need to make some room on the roster.

After the team signed superstar outfielder Juan Soto to a record-breaking $765 million contract, it suddenly created some redundancy in the outfield. And, with the Mets also adding Jose Siri in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, that redundancy is even more pronounced.

The depth chart now includes Soto, Siri, Tyrone Taylor, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil among the potential outfield mix, which might make veteran slugger Starling Marte the odd man out. Rather than reserve the Mets’ designated hitter spot for Marte, Drew VonScio of Newsweek proposed a trade that would send him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a trio of prospects: Jack Brannigan, Billy Cook and Axiel Plaz.

“If the Mets decide to move on from him, the Pittsburgh Pirates are a good fit to reunite with their former outfielder,” VonScio wrote. “Marte played from 2012-19 in Pittsburgh, where he was a part of the three playoff teams. In the eight seasons he was with the Pirates, he won two Gold Gloves. His return would allow Pirates fans to see another familiar name.”

In the third season of a four-year, $78 million contract with the Mets in 2024, Marte slashed .269/.327/.388 with seven homers, starting 80 games in the outfield. His production was solid, but didn’t include the kind of pop that the Mets might be seeking in a designated hitter for 2025.

They could be looking to deal away at least some of the money they owe him after handing out so much to Soto and a trade that nets some prospects in return might reload their farm system and net some chips to bundle in an additional deal.

However, the Mets might have to pay at least some of Marte’s 2025 salary in order to move him.

“Marte is set to make $20.75 million in 2025, so the Pirates won’t be willing to take on his entire contract,” VonScio added. “Marte has just one year left on his contract, and while the return may seem to favor the Mets, the Pirates might be willing to cough up an extra prospect or two in order to avoid taking on the entire salary.”

Ultimately, money seems like little object to the Mets and their owner Steve Cohen. But if Marte has lost his place on the roster, the team could be looking to get some kind of return for him in the final year of his contract.