The New York Mets pursued center fielder Starling Marte for a big portion of the offseason. That is no secret, as there were on-and-off conversations between the Pittsburgh Pirates’ representatives and Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen.
However, the Mets were unsuccessful in their efforts and the star outfielder was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks a few days ago for a pair of 19-year old prospects. Good prospects, while we are at it.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, we now know a little bit more about the Mets – Pirates negotations.
As it turns out, the Pirates offered the Mets three different packages for Marte. That makes sense, since at least three times since the offseason began, it was reported that the two teams were talking.
One of those packages was centered around 2019 breakout star J.D. Davis and another one around outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Pittsburgh asked, in a third deal, for two of the Mets’ five best prospects.
The Mets wouldn’t cross the line
All those proposals were rejected in Flushing, as Van Wagenen had a strict line he wouldn’t cross.
“There was a package offered to them that was centered around J.D. Davis, the Mets said no,” Martino said. “I don’t believe that’s been reported. There was another package centered around Brandon Nimmo, which we knew, but the Mets said ‘no, we’re not willing to trade Nimmo for Marte.’ And then there was another ask which was like two top prospects — say two out of the top five top prospects in the system. And that was a no,” SNY reported.
For reference, people tend to view these names as the team’s top five prospects: INF Ronny Mauricio, C Francisco Alvarez, RHP Matthew Allan, 3B Brett Baty, and INF Andres Gimenez.
“They had an opportunity, they were in serious talks with the Pirates around the new year, and they just weren’t willing to do any of those things,” Martino said.