Trade talks over Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres are intensifying, but there remains significant work to be done before an agreement, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Heyman reports that there’s a chance a trade for the 31-year-old occurs prior to spring training in the middle of February, but the Pirates’ demands are steep.
He adds that the Pirates have interest in the Mets’ shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio, who was recently ranked as the 66th best prospect in Baseball America’s Top 100.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers could also be suitors.
Marte — a two-time Gold Glover and one-time all-star — is coming off a 2019 campaign when he had a .295 batting average along with 23 home runs and 82 RBI.
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