MLB Trade: Oakland A’s acquire Starling Marte from Miami Marlins
By Josh Hill
The first big name of the MLB Trade Deadline is off the board, with Starling Marte heading west and to another league.
With the MLB Trade Deadline creeping up faster and faster, the big names we’ve been hearing rumors about are starting to come off the board.
Starling Marte has been one of the most talked about non-pitching trade candidates ahead of the deadline. Kris Bryant might have him beat as far as overall hype is concerned, but that might have more to do with Marte playing in Miami and not Chicago.
Don’t let that convince you he’s any less valuable than Bryant. Marte is a top-tier outfielder who contenders around the league were looking at to both defensively improve their roster while adding a great bat in the lineup.
Marte is indeed on the move, but the team that landed him is not one of the heavy-hitting contenders he’s been rumored to end up with.
According to Craig Mish and Ken Rosenthal, the A’s are the destination for Starling Marte.
Marlins are close to trading OF Starling Marte to the Oakland Athletics per sources.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 28, 2021
Source confirms: A’s getting Starling Marte. First: @CraigMish
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2021
Jeff Passan from ESPN reported the return for Marte, which appears to be a one-for-one deal that involves Jesus Luzardo.
Starling Marte is headed to the A’s, Jesus Luzardo is going to Marlins, sources tell ESPN. A 1-for-1 deal in which Miami will cover the entirety of Marte’s remaining contract — more than $4 million. Marte is a free agent this winter. Luzardo isn’t one until after the 2027 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2021
MLB Trade Grade: A’s acquire Starling Marte from Marlins
The ripple effect from this extends well beyond just Miami and Oakland. Marte was a top position player on the trade market and a top target for a handful of contenders. The New York Yankees had Marte high on their list ahead of the deadline, and will now need to look elsewhere for help in the lineup.
For the A’s, who have made a few trades ahead of Friday’s deadline, the move signals that they’re going all-in to contend for a World Series this year. Oakland desperately needed outfield help, and offensively they’ve struggled mightily to get anything going this year.
Despite these struggles, the A’s control the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Adding Marte, as well as reliever Andrew Chafin, helps better position the A’s to make a run at the Tampa Bay Rays for the top Wild Card spot and chase down the AL West-leading Astros.
The biggest winner here is Miami, however, For giving up Marte, who is likely to be nothing more than a rental for the fiscally anemic A’s, Kim Ng got an absolute haul back in Luzardo. He’s only 23-years old and was a top young pitcher that A’s fans thought might anchor the rotation for years to come.
Now he’s in Miami as a prized return for a player Miami was likely to lose anyway.
Oakland A’s Grade: B-
Miami Marlins Grade: A