5 teams who should trade for Pirates outfielder Starling Marte

1. Cincinnati Reds

Some people have gone all-in on the Reds as the NL Central champions in 2020, and their rumored interest in multiple notable free agents (Zack Wheeler, Marcell Ozuna, Yasmani Grandal, Didi Gregorius) with a plan to raise payroll and contend next year shows they’re buying into the hype internally.

Former top prospect Nick Senzel started 92 games in center field for the Reds last year, but he could be moved to second base full-time after suffering a right shoulder injury that ultimately ended his season from crashing into an outfield wall in late-August. But that also creates a more dire need in center field, in what is a dismal market at the position this offseason. Jesse Winker could be an internal option, but he’s just a fourth outfielder with some pop (16 home runs in 384 plate appearances last year).

Marte’s fit in Cincinnati is somewhat dependent on the other moves they make this offseason. But say they sign Ozuna. He’d likely play one of the corner outfield spots, and Marte would still fit nicely in center field. Add those two to last year’s late-season star Aristides Aquino (19 home runs in 205 at-bats), and the Reds would have a very formidable offensive outfield.

The NL Central is absolutely there for the taking next year. The Reds look ready to try to take it with an active offseason, and Marte does not require a multi-year commitment.