It looks like the Miami Marlins are open to trading center fielder Starling Marte who makes a ton of sense for the Atlanta Braves.
Starling Marte is the perfect fit for the Atlanta Braves, just as he was two years ago when I was screaming as loud as I could for the Braves to trade for him.
I even tried to trade him to the San Diego Padres back when I wrote for Friars on Base — that’s how much I love Starling Marte.
But nobody listens to me, and meanwhile, Marte just continues to put up great numbers.
He’s been a 3 WAR or better player for six seasons between 2013 and 2021 and he’s already at 2.8 this year.
Marte has stolen at least 10 bases in all 10 of his big league seasons hitting no less than .275 in a single season since his rookie year in 2012.
That’s the model of consistency, which is exactly what the Braves need and why it should have been a no-brainer for them to trade for him when they had their chances.
But here we are in 2021 and they have yet another opportunity to trade for Marte and they won’t — here’s why.
One, he’s a free agent after the season, and Alex Anthopoulos — rightfully so — isn’t going to give up a significant prospect this year for a rental on a team that can’t even get above .500.
And Marte will likely cost a decent prospect or two even being a rental because of what I mentioned above.
Second, I don’t see the Marlins trading within the division when they probably will have similar or better offers from other contenders.
If the offers are similar, they’ll likely go outside the division. But really, it’s the Braves who don’t want to help an up-and-coming team like the Marlins by giving them a good prospect for a rental like I already mentioned.
Third, they won’t do it because it’s what I want them to do and makes too much sense.
Marte is a consistently good, all-around hitter and great teammate that would help give this Braves team the spark they need.
He’s also not somebody the Braves would sign to stick around long-term as he’ll turn 33 later this year.
Again, it makes sense, I just don’t see it happening. But maybe this reverse jinx will work and AA will actually do something I agree with.