Mar 14, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (6) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Mets veteran sends clear message about reduced role

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Grant Young | Last updated Mar 16, 2025 8:00 AM ET

While the New York Mets signing superstar slugger Juan Soto this offseason was obviously a franchise-altering move, it doesn't necessarily mean more opportunities for everybody on New York's roster.

Despite being injured for much of the season, 36-year-old Starling Marte was the Mets' starting right fielder in 2024 whenever he was healthy. Marte signed a lucrative four-year, $78 million contract with the Mets back in 2021. After a solid 2022 season, he has spent much of the past two seasons injured.

And now with Soto (who is a right fielder) signed along with the Mets acquiring Jose Siri and re-signing Jesse Winker, Marte appears to be the odd-man out in New York's outfield; or at least will assume more of a platoon role.

A knock up the middle for Starling Marte pic.twitter.com/looAVs2pvN
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 14, 2025

While Marte is aware of his diminished role compared to years past, a comment he made to NJ Advance Media's Manny Gómez as part of a March 14 article conveys that he isn't lamenting it.

“In this role, I get to help my teammates,” Marte is quoted saying in translated Spanish. “I get to be one more person who can watch and evaluate players on the field, and see how I can help them. And then, when I get the chance to play, I’m ready for that too.”

We already know that Marte has tried to help teammate Brandon Nimmo, as Nimmo alluded to Marte having conversations with him about his own lingering knee injury on March 14.

Brandon Nimmo was asked if he could start the season as a DH: pic.twitter.com/VxrkjCzuBm
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 14, 2025

There's no question that Marte is still an extremely talented hitter who could be a massive asset for the Mets in 2025. But he'll need to remain on the field and produce in this reduced role before he gets more of an opportunity.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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