The Marlins have been in talks with outfielder Starling Marté about a potential contract extension, general manager Kim Ng told reporters (including Craig Mish of SportsGrid) this afternoon. Unsurprisingly, she didn’t elaborate on how far along those discussions were or handicap their odds of ultimately resulting in a deal.
Nevertheless, the presence of any midseason talks with Marté are notable, given Ng’s prior comments. Earlier this month, she told reporters the team hadn’t approached the star outfielder about a potential long-term deal. Marté suggested then that his preference was to come to an agreement with the Marlins on a contract that took him through the end of his career. It seems the front office and his representatives at Rep 1 Baseball have now at least opened those talks.
Marté is on track to hit free agency at the end of the season, and he’s presently amidst a career year at the plate. He’s hitting .293/.402/.473 with six home runs across 179 plate appearances. The resulting 148 wRC+ is the best mark of his nine-plus seasons. Excepting 2017, Marté has been an above-average hitter in every year of his career, but he’s getting on base at an unprecedented level this season.
Before 2021, Marté had never drawn walks in more than 6.1% of his plate appearances. This year, he’s bumped his walk rate to a stellar 13.4%. That seems to reflect a deliberate decision to be more patient, as the right-handed hitter is swinging at a career-low 46.5% of pitches he sees. (He’s also swinging less often than ever at pitches outside the strike zone). That increased selectiveness hasn’t resulted in any sort of uptick in strikeouts or impacted his power potential.
Marté presents something of a tricky evaluation for the Marlins (or potential free agent suitors). He’s always been productive, but he looks to have revamped his approach nearly a decade into his career. Whether he’ll continue to be this patient after such a long run of being a highly-aggressive hitter is unknown.
There’s also the matter of Marté’s age to consider. He turns 33 years old in October, which could give Miami some pause. He hasn’t shown much sign of slowing down, though. Marté’s not quite as fast as he was in his 20’s, but he still has 86th-percentile peak speed, according to Statcast. His defensive metrics in center field remain positive. And his rate of hard hit balls (those that leave the bat over 95 MPH) is at 36.2%, right in line with his career mark. A handful of mishits have brought down his average exit velocity to a career-worst 85.6 MPH, but there’s no indication he’s suffered any sort of drop in bat speed or raw power.
If Marté and the Marlins don’t make progress on an extension in the coming weeks, he’d be one of the more obvious trade chips on the market. At 33-44, the Marlins don’t look likely to contend in 2021. They’re planning to move some of their impending free agents, a process they began this morning by sending outfielder Corey Dickerson (along with controllable reliever Adam Cimber) to the Blue Jays. As perhaps the premier center fielder who could be available, Marté would draw no shortage of interest, especially since he’s only due the balance of an affordable $12.5MM salary for the remainder of the season. The Marlins could offer Marté a qualifying offer if they hold onto him until the end of the year but don’t agree on an extension, but the value of a midseason trade package seems likely to exceed that of a compensatory draft pick.
Shortstop Miguel Rojas would also draw plenty of interest from contenders if made available, but it doesn’t seem the Marlins are particularly eager to move him. Ng suggested (via Mish) that Rojas was more likely than not to remain in Miami past the July 30 trade deadline. His contract contains a $5.5MM option for 2022 that vests if he accrues 500 plate appearances this season. He’ll need a manageable 271 trips to the plate over Miami’s final 85 games (3.19 PA per game) to lock in that money, although it seems likely the Marlins would exercise the option even if it doesn’t vest.
Rojas is a beloved member of the clubhouse who’s amidst a third consecutive productive season. The 32-year-old is hitting a league average .256/.328/.406 this year while playing quality defense at shortstop. That’s valuable enough even before considering his off-field importance to the organization.
YakAttack
I hope so. Good to see small market teams invest in their talent instead of trading it off for 7 cents on the dollar.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Well…as a Yankee fan I was sorta hoping for that “7 cents on the dollar” thing.
Cosmo2
He’s 32. Might not be the best investment.
jimmyz
Not all extensions have to be 6-7 year deals. I’d expect he still has 3 solid years left and even if he loses a step he still has a great arm and enough offensive production to be solid in a corner outfield spot if he has to move from centerfield.
Cosmo2
I’d be pretty skeptical about him having another 3 good years. Don’t be fooled by his uptick now, he’s still already in his mid-thirties. Players decline quickly at that age more often than not. You can’t judge an older players potential for decline by looking at their present stats. Most declines are not gradual at that point.
Prospectnvstr
Cosmo2: He’s 32 (33 in Oct). That means he’s in his EARLY 30’s. Re an extension, I’d offer a 3 yr w an additional 1-2 mutual options (which could be converted into vesting options). Vesting options should be used way more often than they are, especially for guys who are past their (so-called) prime. If the player stays healthy AND produces they’re well paid. If not the team isn’t left paying millions of dollars for nothing.
MarlinsFanBase
As a Marlins fan, I am concerned about the age and the potential number of years the Marlins may commit to for this. I would be okay with 2 guaranteed, and a mutual or team option for the 3rd…and perhaps a 4th year.
As for him as a player, I could see the extension being eyed as possibly keeping him starting until he declines, to then him becoming a platoon or 4th OF or a DH depending on his hitting at the time.
As far as understanding this. I think it shows that the Marlins may be looking at next year as their focus for the rest of this season. If they re-sign Marte, I think any trades will be about moving on from pieces that they want to clear for chance to look at the young guys. From there, the offseason moves will be about filling where the holes are shown for the rest of this season – like bullpen and any position that doesn’t look filled enough. I think in the offseason they’ll be looking for a more consistent, budget-friendly big bat, like perhaps Marcus Semien…or Anthony Rizzo on a hometown discount.
Cosmo2
I mostly agree with what you say, Prospectnvstr, except that players tend to decline at 30-31. 34 is ancient in baseball. So many fans have the expectations that players will be good til their mid thirties but that’s rarely the case. Sign Marte, but don’t be surprised by a quick and drastic decline. But I guess the team options cover that so I basically agree with you.
Colt 45
mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/trevor-bauer-opt-out-sp…
stretch123
3 years, 40-45 million seems like a win win for both sides
Cosmo2
Yea that seems reasonable. I still wouldn’t do it but if his rise in walk rate is real he’d bring some excitement to Miami while they finish off their rebuild. Dangerous to count on him not declining though but perhaps worth the chance.
MarlinsFanBase
The thing with him is that he’s in a role with the Marlins that can extend him a little longer as a #2 hitter. He is in good shape, so he may be able to maintain enough speed in the role, while maintaining enough gap power as he keeps working on his putting the ball in play regularly.
MetsFan22
Confused organization
BaseballPunsWifeIsHuge
The Marlins have the same amount of championships as the Mutts, and it took them 29 less years to do it. Plus the Marlins don’t have a wife-beater in the bullpen, and their front office isn’t a bunch of perverts.
Cult of Dickie Thon
Nonexistent fan base and easily the worst average attendance in MLB since they came into the league in 1993.
Never see any Marlins at road games in Philly and they are generally irrelevant in Miami sports too. College football rules although the Dolphins/Heat have decent established fan bases. No one cares about the Marlins and that includes greater Miami area residents too.
30 Parks
Well said, Cult. The only good time to go to Marlins’ Park is during the WBC to watch a Dominican game – great atmosphere. Otherwise, that park is a misplaced monstrosity and I do not see the Marlins as a viable, long-term franchise. The Marlins inspire indifference and their immediate sell-offs following championships helped establish that indifferent fan base.
MarlinsFanBase
I didn’t realize that we as fans should be worried about what is in the stands. All this time I’ve been watching the game on the field.
Does anyone go to games to watch how many fans are in the stands?
I’m rethinking things now. I know people say to people not paying attention, “You’re missing a great game.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say, “You’re missing a great crowd in the stands.”
axisofhonor25
I’d give the Marlins a chance to see what they could do with the new management/ownership in place. So far they have a pretty good developing youth movement and that rotation has been stellar given the investment in it. Adding a guy like Marte provides them with a veteran presence that is much needed with a rebuilding franchise. They probably won’t break the bank for him, but will give him a short term contract most likely to last the duration of the build.
axisofhonor25
The point here, is that maybe the new ownership/management can actually attract fans with some consistent performance and investment into the team.
Cosmo2
Playing on the Florida peninsula will always be a disadvantage but if they could pick an identity and stick with it and then win a bit they could develop a stronger fan base.
Prospectnvstr
MetsFan22: You are the confused one, not the Marlins. They have 3 young guys in the rotation that most teams are enviable of. They have some young building blocks on the MLB roster w more working their way through the minors. Every team can still use a veteran who is CONSISTENTLY putting up above average all around #’s. Simply put, take off your “loyalty blinders” and look at Miami fr a baseball fan perspective. This is coming from a Braves fan.
MarlinsFanBase
Do you really think that MetsFan22 is really going to grasp the concept?
MarlinsFanBase
Funny to see @MetsFan22 talk about another organization being confused. The fan of an organization that still owes money to Bobby Bonilla; paid a ton of money to David Wright while they were rebuilding; traded for Robinson Cano….after he failed a PED test; gave a bunch of money to Juerys Familia after it was clear the league figured him out; paid a good chunk of money to Dellin Betances after his arm fell off; etc. etc. etc.
And we’ll see who looks confused if the Marlins extend Marte for about 3 years and $40-45m or perhaps less, while the Mets go on to spend whatever they eventually do for Conforto and Nimmo.
junkmale
I always knew Marte was a good player, but I never really appreciated how good he was until he went to Miami. I’m glad he’s happy there.
Cult of Dickie Thon
He’ll get traded by the Marlins because they don’t sign him to a long-term extension (3+ years) he’ll want right now.
YankeesBleacherCreature
I don’t think a team like the Marlins should extend him beyond two years as he’ll be 33 starting next season. They’re better off trading him as there is no clear path yet to being a strong contender in the forseeable future..
Cosmo2
The only advantage would be the extra excitement he could give fans during the rebuild.
1984wasntamanual
I don’t think the 6 of them will mind if it brings them legit pieces for the rebuild.
FrontRowMarlins
Trade them! Let the you kids play
g4
Considering Marte’s age and skill set, Lo Cain would seem to be a recent free agent comparable. While great in year one, Brewers aren’t getting much ROI for their $80M these days.
Caveat emptor, Ms. Ng.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Imagine complaining that a low market team wants to spend money on a player. If they traded him most of you would cry that we need a salary floor and teams need to spend. Now they wanna spend on him and it’s not smart because of his age and blah blah blah. Good for the Marlins. Good for baseball. Spend some damn money screw these owners. Stop caring about what’s a good business decision and start hoping these players get their due. Marte lost his wife last year, the LEAST he deserves is some stability.
Cosmo2
Give me a break. You’re completely wrong in your assumptions. I question the strategy of signing a 33 year old to a multi year deal, especially for a team it ready to win yet. I am NOT complaining about a lack of spending. Marte is a millionaire. A nice guy, but he’s gotten his “due” and I’m not gonna lose any sleep over his finances. He already is financially secure and if he isn’t, that’s his fault. “Screw the owners” is a childish, nonsensical take.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Also who’s to say they can’t sign Marte, spend on another bat, bring up JJ bleday, and with that strong rotation they could realistically contend by 2023. (This is a piggy back to a comment they have to moderate because I said b.s.)
Cosmo2
They can definitely contend by ‘23 without even making those moves. Marte will likely be a shell of what he is right now by then. If they re-sign Marte it’ll be to give the fans some fun between now and then.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
I don’t see what the issue is with giving the fans something to look forward to when they go to the ballpark. Besides winning, that’s all this league is here for. To entertain
Cosmo2
Agreed. More teams should think that way. Try to win as much as possible and be entertaining even in years where contending is unlikely. Just wanna be clear as to what a Marte extension does and doesn’t bring.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
And I see they took down my other comment. I think the more non sensical thing is to continue to take the side of owners and teams who’s only interest are making money off of us and their players for decades upon decades. Charge us $40 for a T-shirt but we want to cheer on them being cheap and saving money. Idk. Maybe it’s because I live in a town where the owner sucks their fans like leeches and refuse to put a competent team onto the field. Not all of us are used to that I guess.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
So it brings an above average player to the field, probably at a decent cost because no one is saying he deserves 10 years 500 million more like 2-$23/3-$30, and brings fans into the gates. Even at a steep drop off Marte would still bring value to a team at that price I just don’t think it’s as out there to complete this than most think.
Cosmo2
The players are more or less interested in grabbing money too. Nothing wrong with that. The owners are doing what business owners do: try to make money. Why is that a problem? This is still capitalism isn’t it? Plus, higher salaries = higher ticket prices. I want my team to spend efficiently and win. I see nothing to gain from hating owners for doing their jobs
jimmyz
It’s not quite that simple either though. Lower salaries don’t equal lower ticket prices. As a Pirates fan I recognize the fact that the team doesn’t need to sell a single ticket to cover their payroll.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Players window to get paid is substantially smaller than the owners window to make money. I see nothing to gain in supporting greedy billionaires that ruin this sport. A lot of these owners have multiple sources of income as well, so ticket prices do not go up with payroll. Even if they do, that’s not why, it’s because when there are actually competent players on the field they know people want to come. We will not see eye to eye on this, and that’s okay. That’s the beauty of America.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Thank you. Also as a pirates fan I understand that the owners are taking the pirates profits and putting them into their other businesses, and not the team itself. Alot of these fans don’t understand the business and how the owners are clearly out for themselves and always will be.
Cosmo2
JimmyZ: 100% it’s not that simple. But my point is the owners aren’t the only ones making bank.
Cosmo2
Why are millionaire players good but billionaire owners are greedy. I’m sorry but it’s such a childish viewpoint. Also the players window to make money comes with a $600,000 minimum wage so c’mon. They make plenty.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
The difference between a million and a billion is nothing to fret at man. I just don’t understand how my viewpoint is childish and yours isn’t? Because you’re okay with these owners making billions of dollars and 30% of them don’t even use the profits to better their own teams, ballparks,are surrounding the park? I just don’t get it and no matter what you think is childish or right or wrong I can’t agree. Make the richest even richer. Small guys will always lose.
Cosmo2
The difference between.a Million and a billion dollars is nothing to a normal person. The viewpoint is childish because it’s too binary: owners evil, players good. It’s all just business.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Lol the difference between a million and a billion dollars is a lot to anybody bud. Agree to disagree. The viewpoint is only childish cuz you’re probably a fan of some big market team who doesn’t treat their fans and players like dog crap. Be a pirates fan for 25 years then realize why these owners are taking advantage of the sport. Only 5-8 teams a year are really title contenders, the other 22 are just here to make money off of you, me, and their players. Simple as that. Players make money because their talented. Owners make money because of greed.
1984wasntamanual
They charge what they do for items because people will pay it. I’m sorry that you don’t understand how economics work, but screaming about the owners isn’t going to fix that.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Lol yeah man baseball as a whole should be happy that 1/4 of our league is competitive because the owners are making so much money off of playing the game the incorrect way. Has nothing to do with understanding the economics and everything with understanding how the owners profit from their baseball teams and take the money and run. It’s not economics, it’s thievery.
1984wasntamanual
Charging $40 for shirts because people will pay it of their own volition is thievery? You know, when you use words so flippantly, they lose any meaning and you sound like a fool.
Additionally, you say only 1/4 of the league is competitive (so 7.5), considering more teams than that make the playoffs, that’s a pretty asinine comment to make.
I Beg To Differ
Trade him for best deal possible and if you love him you can sign him in free agency with no qualifying offer attached…….
You can get him and the prospects.
CNichols
Maybe I’m being too cynical but I feel like this is a PR move so in 3 weeks they can say the extension talks broke down and then be justified in trading him at the deadline.
They’re 12 games under .500 and they just traded away a veteran OF and a reliever. Seems like the logical move is to keep selling not extend players in their mid thirties.
solaris602
Yeah, Mark Shapiro was always a master of that in CLE. The old “we tried” bit fell on deaf ears after several years of “trying” but never succeeding. Like I Beg to Differ said – trade him for a prospect package now, and then sign him in the winter if you want to. Marlins aren’t going to the post season this year, so it makes no sense to extend him.
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
That’s 100% what it is, but extending him isn’t this outrageous idea everyone makes it out to be either.
1984wasntamanual
Not if they can get him at the prices you threw out earlier, but I have a feeling if he was willing to take 2/23 or 3/30, he’d be signed already.
slider32
Marlins are very close to being a contender, their starting pitching is good enough. They need to add 4 good position players in the next 2 years. If they sign Marte they only need 3 good players, if not they might be able to upgrade the team with some prospects or young major league players. If they could land Andujar, Garcia, and Sikkema in a package, I would move him to the Yanks!
Cosmo2
It’s not that simple, they need more than that but they are close. Marte will be 35/36 by then, though and is unlikely to factor in. Counting on him as a future piece would be really dumb.
jimmyz
I get why some people here are skeptical of giving Marte an extension because he is on the wrong side of 30 but I feel like Marte is as good of a bet as any to remain productive well into his mid-thirties. First of all aside from his rib injury this year and an oblique injury in 2017 or 2018 I don’t believe he has ever spent any other time on the IL and certainly hasn’t had any major injuries or surgeries that would accelerate a decline in his athleticism. Secondly if you have ever seen Marte in person, the dude is a top of the charts, world class, Usain Bolt/Christiano Ronaldo type level of athlete. There isn’t a gram of fat on him let alone an ounce and he has a significant amount of muscle mass but isn’t bulky at all. So neither injury history or physical conditioning would be red flags. The only real concern to me would be that he loses some speed but that is mitigated by the fact that he is incredibly fast in the first place. To put it another way, even if he loses two steps he would still be faster than roughly 85% of corner outfielders in the game today.
Somewhat unrelated to that rant but a point I want to make as well is that his plate discipline this year is hopefully a lasting change in his game that would also make his offensive game remain stable as he ages. As a Pirate the one main thing that held him back from having superstar level production as opposed to being just incredibly good was that he could never lay off of outside breaking balls off the plate.
Cosmo2
The jump in BB rate looks promising but I’d still be skeptical on Marte. But he could be a perfect 3 year deal for the Marlins to take a chance on just to make things more fun for fans.
Rsox
I would like to see Marte stay in Miami. I think that would be a big positive for the team to be able to keep a veteran mentor around. This team isn’t that far away as they have a very good front three in the rotation now with Alcantara/Lopez/Rogers
loyalmarlinsfansince1993
Please sign Starling!
Marlins should have the $$$ after signing the tv deal!