After the New York Yankees re-signed Cody Bellinger, their roster appeared to be set, at least in terms of position players.
But apparently, the Yankees are still looking to add another bat, specifically in the outfield.
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Chris Kirschner of The Athletic has reported that New York is looking for a right-handed hitter, and former New York Mets All-Star Starling Marte has been floated as a possibility.
Marte slashed .270/.335/.410 with nine home runs and 34 RBI over 329 plate appearances with the Mets in 2025. He made an All-Star appearance in Queens back in 2022 when he tallied 16 homers and 63 RBI to go along with an .814 OPS.
The 37-year-old began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 and spent eight seasons with the Pirates before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in January 2020. He was then dealt to the Miami Marlins midway through that ensuing season.
Marte certainly made the rounds during that time, as the Marlins proceeded to ship him to the Oakland Athletics in a deal that sent Jesus Luzardo to South Beach in July 2021. He signed with the Mets that November.
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The Dominican native has earned two All-Star selections throughout his big-league tenure, winning two Gold Glove awards. He owns a lifetime .285/.342/.440 slash line.
Starling Marte. Credit:Â Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Of course, Marte is far from the same player he was during his younger years. Not only has his bat slipped, but his defense has fallen off a cliff. In fact, he primarily served as a designated hitter with the Mets this past season.
The Yankees’ apparent interest in a fourth outfielder also indicates that the club may have soured on Jasson Dominguez, the former top prospect who was benched down the stretch last season and struggled mightily with his glove.
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New York has Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge as its three starting outfielders at the moment, but adding a righty bat — like Marte — would allow the Yanks to give Grisham rest days. But would the Yankees actually want to play Marte in the outfield at this stage?
The Bronx Bombers had also expressed interest in Austin Hays, but he signed with the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Randal Grichuk and Austin Slater, the latter of whom was initially acquired by the Yankees back at the trade deadline, have also been mentioned as possibilities for the club.
Given the fact that Marte has actually hit right-handers (.785 OPS) better than lefties (.770 OPS) throughout his major-league career, New York’s interest in the veteran is puzzling, to say the least.