Let's Set Odds: Where Will Starling Marte Play Next?

Starling Marte is 33-years old now, but his stolen base production remains elite. Marte stole a Major League-leading 47 bases in 2021, and the outfielder was only caught stealing five times. 

Marte continues to play well in almost every facet of the game, batting .310, stealing 47 bases, slugging .458, recording a .383 on-base percentage. The two-time Gold Glove winning outfielder may not be an MVP candidate, but he will be highly-coveted on the free agent market for his five tool ability. 

WynnBET Sportsbook doesn’t have odds for where Starling Marte will sign for 2022, so let’s set odds for who will sign this toolsy outfielder this offseason. 

San Francisco Giants (+150)

The Giants played well last year with a slightly older team of veterans; a bunch of guys on the other end of 30 with very little holes in their game. That sounds a lot like Marte.

Solid on-base skills, contact and a little more speed would fit well at the top of this San Francisco lineup. The leadoff spot was the Giants last year was a rotating spot, depending on the arm of the opposing pitcher, the spot went to player like Austin Slater, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Tommy La Stella.

A Gold Glove-caliber outfielder that can fortify the top of the lineup is just what San Francisco needs, and they could get it, if they are willing to pay a potential $20 million annual price tag.

New York Mets (+400)

The Mets outfield was underwhelming last year. Michael Conforto was hurt, then awful when he was on the field. Dominic Smith’s batting average dropped from .316 in the shortened 2020 season to .244 in 2021. Brandon Nimmo did fine, but missed a chunk of time once again.

New York could use some solid offensive production and someone who can play everyday. Starling Marte could be the man for the job.

Conforto is currently a free agent, so there is an open spot in the outfield grass. The Mets offered Conforto the $18.4 million qualifying offer, but Conforto declined and entered the free agent waters. If the Mets can throw $18.4 million at Conforto, they shouldn’t shy away from extending an offer to Marte.

New York Yankees (+500)

It’s time for the Yankees to move on from Brett Gardner. A decent replacement could be Marte.

The Yankees could always move around money to bring in any needed pieces, and a quick and defensively sound centerfielder like Marte would make a great fit between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, or Joey Gallo, depending on who is DH-ing. 

Kansas City Royals (+1000)

The Royals just shipped out Jorge Soler to the World Series championship winning Atlanta Braves, so there could be some available playing time in Kansas City’s outfield.

Marte in the outfield with Andrew Benintendi would make a solid outfield tandem, and an interesting top of the lineup for the Royals.

With Salvador Perez still behind the dish, Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi up the middle in the infield and Carlos Santana at first base, Kansas City could be one of the peskiest teams to face in 2022.

If they could get Marte, and some pitching, 2022 could be a surprising season at Kauffmann Stadium. 

A one-year deal to be a July trade-chip sounds like it’s in the realm of possibility here.

Cleveland Guardians (+1500)

The newly-named Guardians could change the look of their on-field product by bringing in a very consistent outfielder like Marte. 

The outfield for the “Indians” in 2021 was a disappointment. Franmil Reyes is now mostly a DH, and an outfield of Harold Ramirez, Myles Straw, and some combo of Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, and Daniel Johnson could use an upgrade.

The Guardians may have the best pitcher in baseball in Shane Bieber, they have a decent bullpen anchored by Emmanuel Clase, and an MVP-caliber third baseman in Jose Ramirez.

Marte is a much needed piece for this Cleveland Guardians team that could get them back in the playoffs in 2022.