Veteran outfielder and active stolen base leader Starling Marte was set to be one of the most notable remaining free agents heading into March. However, per multiple reports, including MLB.com and the New York Post, the Royals have reportedly agreed to sign Marte to a deal. He comes over to Kansas City after an injury-riddled end to his Mets tenure.
A Look at Marte
Starling Marte spent the last four seasons with the Mets. It was an interesting time for Marte, who came over to help provide a significant boost for their lineup after he came over in 2021.
He did that for the most part in 2022, as Marte slashed .292/.347/.468 with 16 home runs and 45 extra-base hits, along with 18 stolen bases. However, his numbers have tailed off significantly since then.
The 37-year-old played fewer than 100 games in each of the last three seasons. This past season, Marte played just 98 contests, and the vast majority of those came as a DH. Durability was a key reason why, as Marte dealt with foot and knee injuries between 2022 and 2024.
This past season, Marte slashed .270/.335/.410 with nine home runs and 23 extra-base hits.
Marte traditionally ranked as one of the most aggressive hitters as far as expanding out of the zone. Back in 2023, that percentage was over 37%. At that time, much of that had to do with how he attacked breaking balls. That was somewhat tamed down in recent years, although he still will expand a lot on two-seamers.
His walk rates, in turn, have seen a reciprocal rise. His 6.7% BB% was down from 2024 (7.3%) but up from 2023 (4.7%).
And as noted above, Marte is the active stolen base leader with 396 career swipes. However, those totals have been muted over the years. He only had seven stolen bases last season.
Analysis
Kansas City has sought outfield help over the past few months, bringing in Lane Thomas and Kameron Misner to join a group that also includes Kyle Isbel and second-year outfielder Jac Caglianone.
How much Marte can contribute in the future will naturally depend on his health. But if he can stick with the Royals, he could be a nice platoon option at least over the coming weeks and months.
He’s been a consistent contact hitter and has generally hit lefties well over the course of his career. Marte’s splits against lefties and righties were roughly even in 2025. But two years ago, Marte slashed .310/.384/.460 against southpaws.
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