Memories of Starling Marte

[G-Fafif]

The difference differencemaker from the 2022 club (he boosted them into a powerhouse, they wilted when he endured a lethal HBP) has signed with the Royals. May he face his days without fear.

[Edgy MD]

Stayed in great shape despite copious injuries that he had to bear through.

Really impressive in 2023 how he was having a terrible season and seemingly knew that his body wasn't going to let him do much better, but he kept stealing bases just so he could bring some value to the table, even though it was probably breaking him down all the faster.

[Cowtipper]

Cool dude. Had a certain swagger about him. Loved chewing his gum. Was an All-Star his first year I think. Never healthy for a full year, but I was never disappointed in what we got out of him. He never lost his speed. A nice sparkplug, when he wasn't hurt. I remember when he was *the* big signing (or one of them) once and within a couple years he became a bit of an afterthought.

[MFS62]

I never appreciated him as much as he deserved. But looking back at what he contributed, I admit I was wrong. he gave all that he had. And I appreciate that now.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, a good dude who always tried to find a way to contribute and seemed to be very popular with his teammates.

But while his speed and athleticism held up despite his advancing years, his defense oddly didn't. That, as much as the injuries and reduced offense, contributed to

him seeing less and less playing time as well as the obvious conclusion, long before it became a fact, that his NYM tenure was going to end when the '25 season did.

[Edgy MD]

He and Curtis Granderson were kind of two of a kind in my head. Both came to the Mets in offseasons where the team publicly insisted they had put aside money to sign a "top" player. Both kind of initially triggered in the fan base a sort of grudging well, yeah, I guess you can call him a "top" player as he's had a few all-star years but that wasn't really — no offense — the sort of "top" we were hoping for attitude.

Both had given their prior teams their peak years, but both had one star year left. Marte's was sadly cut short in 2023, but Curtis totally could have been an All-Star in 2015. Both became team leaders — Marte more behind the scenes, but Granderson overtly.

The Mets were the third leg of the career for both. Both were former star centerfielders consigned to right as Mets. Both wore infielders' numbers (Backman's and Harrelson's, respectively) while playing the outfield. Both mentored younger stars. Both completed their last years as Mets at 36 and both left town with some more baseball to play and some more millions to make ahead of them.

[Gwreck]

Both came to the Mets in offseasons where the team publicly insisted they had put aside money to sign a "top" player. Both kind of initially triggered in the fan base a sort of grudging well, yeah, I guess you can call him a "top" player as he's had a few all-star years but that wasn't really — no offense — the sort of "top" we were hoping for attitude.

 

I didn’t recall being unhappy about the Marte signing nor being concerned about the money…although perhaps that is clouded now because the Mets had contemporaneously dumped the contents of a Brinks truck on Scherzer.

[metsmarathon]

My kids - especially ummL- loved his Mickey necklace.

I loved his hard work and effort - and it seemed like he was a real leader on the team, especially with respect to trying to draw Juan Soto out of his shell.

Much like granderson, he was so sneaky good when he was good, that I don’t think he’s really been as appreciated as he rightfully should be. At his best, full power, he was an excellent player.

I’m glad he found a home. Hopefully he and Seth lugo can run deep into the playoffs.

[metirish]

Marte always seemed happy, good player

[Benjamin Grimm]

[metirish]

Oh they had fun with this name alright

[Gwreck]

they wilted when he endured a lethal HBP

 

I don’t really agree with this, and I don’t think the data supports it.

Starling missed the last 26 games of the regular season during which the Mets went 16-10 (.615), compared to 85-51 previously (.625). And the Braves had already caught the Mets in the standings at the time of the injury.

Could have have made the difference of one more win in that stretch? Sure. But that 2022 team is far better than it gets credit for.

[Edgy MD]

His most immediate replacement on the roster was a debuting Mark Vientos, who wasn't much of a contributor — .167 / .268 / .278 // .546 down the stretch.

Did they wilt? I would say not, but that is as good a place as any to retroactively look for a difference-maker.

Also hurt down the stretch were Luis Guillorme and Brett Baty.

[Edgy MD]

Really, the search for a negative difference maker for 2022 should begin and end with Darin Ruf. If that guy could have carried even a pint of Marte's water, we would be living in a different world today.

[Gwreck]

Oh let’s not forget how bad Tyler Naquin was too.

[Edgy MD]

See, that's why Tyler Naquin should send thank-you cards to Darin Ruf every month.

I had an opportunity to impugn Tyler Naquin and didn't, because Darin.

[metirish]

Daniel Vogelbach was on that team too , and the Mets still won over a 100 games , crazy when you think about it

[Gwreck]

Vogelbach was actually quite good for the Mets in 2022: .255/.393/.436. Better OPS than Lindor, Marte, or Nimmo.

[The Hot Corner]

I always liked Marte. He was a talented player that hustled and seemed to have a positive attitude in the dugout. It is a shame he suffered through a series of injuries which greatly limited his playing time and subsequent role with the team.

I wish him well with the remainder of his career.

[metirish]

Marte seemed to like a good foreign vacation too

[Cowtipper]

According to Baseball Reference, he is currently most similar statistically to another former Met, Marlon Byrd. Gregg Jefferies is also on his most similar list.

[Edgy MD]

I wouldn't have guessed the similarity meter would link Marte and Jefferies given a hundred guesses. An outfielder and an infielder. A righty hitter and a switchie. A speedy guy with modest power vs. a contact guy with a lower lid on his power.

But at the end of the day, their slash numbers line up pretty nicely.