The Yankees are hyper-focused on the short-stop market with Carlos Correa and Corey Seager preparing to sign long-term contracts, but I also have outfield support as a priority this off-season.
The Yankees have been connected to several players, notably in centerfield, given the injuries Aaron Hicks has sustained over the past few seasons. Hicks featured in just 32 games last year and 59 games in 2019, before the Covid abbreviated season. With his reliability in question, the Bombers are considering signing a free agent option, former Pittsburgh pirate and Oakland Athletics OF Starling Marte.
The Yankees have significant competition for Marte’s signature, as the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros are seeking a contract with the former All-Star.
Now that the Houston #Astros have Justin Verlander back, they are being ultra aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent center fielder Starling Marte.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 18, 2021
The Yankees might be looking to spend big money at shortstop and settle on a more cost-efficient player in the outfield, but Marte is an intriguing player, posting a .310 batting average with 12 homers and 55 RBIs this past season over 120 games. Marte also posted a .458 slugging percentage and .841 OPS. Defensively, he recorded a .990 fielding percentage with 3 errors over 1022 innings.
Marte is seeking a contract in the 3–4 year range. Depending on the Yankees’ open checkbook, he could be looking for a deal worth $20+ million per season.
New York Post’s Joel Sherman predicted what a prospective contract would look like. Cashman may be willing to splash the cash for a long-term solution at centerfield, especially with Brett Gardner gone.
Teams will want to limit this to three years (through age-35). Marte will want four. Is the compromise a three-year, $60 million deal ($20 million average) with an option that makes it four at $72 million ($18 million average) if triggered? My guess is a team willing to go four guaranteed years wins this.
With Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Joey Gallo on the roster, there might not be a need for a lucrative free agent like Starling, especially since they expect Hicks to return to full health. There are alternative free agents on the market, including Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto, etc.
However, if Cashman a serious about Marte, he’s going to have plenty of competition which may drive his price tag up.
[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”1tg6jhlp6j” question=”What do you think?” opened=”0″]Do you think the Yankee should sign Starling Marte as a solution in the outfield? Comment here![/wpdiscuz-feedback]