Royals Sign Two-Time All-Star Starling Marte to One-Year Contract

The Kansas City Royals have reportedly signed outfielder Starling Marte to a one-year deal, pending the completion of a physical and an associated roster move. While the official announcement is still awaited, the addition of Marte marks a significant step for the team as they look to bolster their lineup.

Marte, 37, had a season with the New York Mets where he posted a .275 batting average along with a .333 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging percentage. Despite his solid numbers, he was limited to just 98 games due to a chronic bone bruise in his right knee, which required multiple gel shots for relief. Throughout his 14-year career in MLB, Marte has primarily served as a designated hitter, a role he is likely to assume in Kansas City.

Last season, the Royals struggled with their designated hitter production, managing a .206 average, which ranked as the third-worst in the league. Marte’s experience and right-handed bat could provide the necessary spark to improve this area. Additionally, while he spent the last four seasons primarily in right field, he could also see time there if rookie Jac Caglianone doesn’t improve upon his challenging debut, where he batted just .157.

The Royals’ right fielders had the second-lowest OPS in baseball last year, sitting at .615. Marte’s addition could be a crucial move, especially since Kansas City has shown interest in him over the past few seasons. However, injuries have often hampered negotiations. In addition to his knee issues, Marte has faced challenges with groin and neck injuries, as well as migraines.

Marte’s right-handed hitting is an asset to the Royals, who predominantly feature left-handed bats among their outfield and DH candidates. Players like Caglianone, center fielder Kyle Isbel, and DH Carter Jensen all hit from the left side, while left fielder Isaac Collins has struggled with a .230 average and a .717 OPS against lefties. Interestingly, Marte has fared better against right-handed pitching, boasting a .755 OPS compared to .733 against lefties, suggesting he could play a versatile role beyond just a platoon player.

Over his extensive career, Marte has suited up for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and Athletics. As a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, he carries a lifetime batting line of .285/.342/.440, including 291 doubles, 55 triples, 163 home runs, 667 RBIs, and 361 stolen bases across 1,530 games. His peak season came in 2019 with the Pirates, where he excelled with a .295 average, 31 doubles, 23 home runs, 82 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.