Amazin' Daily Briefing: January 22nd, 2025

On This Day in Mets History

Cover Stories

• (2016) Natmare, Apple of His Eye!, Capital Gain?

Born on this date:

• Wayne Kirby (1964)
• Tyrone Taylor (1994)

Died on this date:

• Tommie Agee (2001)

Transactions:

• January 22, 1992: New York Mets traded Mark Carreon and Tony Castillo to the Detroit Tigers for Paul Gibson and Randy Marshall.
• January 22, 1996: New York Mets traded Erik Hiljus, Yudith Ozario, and Eric Ludwick to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bernard Gilkey.
• January 22, 2009: New York Mets signed free agent Alex Cora from the Boston Red Sox.
• January 22, 2010: New York Mets traded Brian Stokes to the Los Angeles Angels for Gary Matthews.
• January 22, 2016: New York Mets signed free agent Antonio Bastardo from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Trivia Question of The Day:

What Hall of Fame Southpaw, at 43 years old, signed a one-year contract as a player-coach with the New York Mets in 1965?

In 1965, a legendary left-handed pitcher, renowned for being the winningest left-hander in baseball history at the time, was looking for a new opportunity after a challenging season where he only managed six victories. This player, despite his age, was still highly valued for his experience and skill, leading to a unique role with the New York Mets. The Mets, a team known for struggling in their early years, were eager to add seasoned talent to their roster. This Hall of Famer signed a one-year deal to not only play but also to coach, aiming to leverage his extensive knowledge of the game to help mentor the younger players while contributing on the field.

""I take a lot of pride in being a New York Met. This organization has treated me and my family like family, and that means the world to me." - David Wright, 2018

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Trivia Answer

Warren Spahn, at 43 years old, signed a one-year contract as a player-coach with the New York Mets in 1965. Warren Spahn had a record of 7-16 with an ERA of 4.01 and 90 strikeouts in 36 appearances with the Mets in 1965.

The Writer's Fastball

Should the Mets Trade Starling Marte?

Marte's Role and the Mets' Roster
Starling Marte, the Mets' veteran outfielder, is entering the final year of his four-year, $78 million contract, which includes a $19.5 million payout for 2025. While the financial commitment is significant, the larger question revolves around Marte's fit within a roster reshaped by recent acquisitions. With the addition of Juan Soto and more recent resigning of Jesse Winker, Marte’s role in the lineup has become uncertain.

2024 Performance and Career Highlights
In 2024, Marte posted a respectable .269 batting average, contributing 7 home runs and 40 RBIs. His on-base percentage of .327 and slugging percentage of .388 combined for a .715 OPS. However, injuries curtailed his season, limiting his availability and raising concerns about his durability at age 37. Despite these recent struggles, Marte’s career numbers are impressive: he leads all active players with 354 stolen bases and 55 triples, has earned two All-Star selections, and boasts two Gold Glove Awards. Nevertheless, Father Time might be catching up with the once-dynamic outfielder.

Winker’s Arrival and Roster Dynamics
The signing of Jesse Winker, a left-handed bat, adds depth but complicates the Mets' outfield and designated hitter situations. Marte, a right-handed hitter, may not align well with the Mets' evolving lineup strategy. With Winker’s arrival, Marte risks being relegated to a part-time designated hitter role, essentially turning into a $19.5 million specialist with limited impact on the field or in the broader team dynamic.

The Case for Waiting Until Spring Training
Trading Marte now might not yield a significant return, especially given his age, recent performance, and contract. The Mets would likely have to absorb a portion of his salary to facilitate a deal. However, the decision to move Marte shouldn’t hinge solely on immediate financial savings or trade value—it’s about optimizing the roster for success.

Spring training presents an opportunity to reevaluate Marte’s fit. If he demonstrates he can still contribute effectively or if injuries arise elsewhere on the roster, his value—either as a trade chip or as a contributor—might increase. Conversely, if he struggles to find a role or underperforms, the Mets can consider dealing him to create space for younger players or to strategically utilize the DH spot.

Final Thoughts
For now, patience is key. The Mets should resist the urge to make a rushed decision and instead use spring training to assess how Marte fits within the evolving roster. While he remains a capable player when healthy, his role on the 2024 team is far from certain. If the pieces don’t align by the end of spring training, trading Marte could prove to be the move that maximizes the team’s potential for the upcoming season.

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