The Miami Marlins surprised the baseball world on Monday just before the trade deadline, acquiring star outfielder Starling Marte in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Marte, a longtime fixture in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfield, joined Arizona over the winter after a trade took him to the desert. Despite spending only half a season with Arizona, he’s already on his way across the country again to South Florida.
The Dominican outfielder played only 16 games with Arizona this season, in which he hit .311 with 2 home runs and 5 stolen bases. After finding themselves out of the playoff picture and with only a $12.5 million club option left on his contract, they simply decided to move on despite his good work.
Arizona’s loss is Miami’s gain, as the team will acquire a center fielder who will help them make the push for their first playoff appearance since 2016. The Marlins currently find themselves at 15-15 and just on the edge of the expanded playoff picture, and Marte will certainly help them during the stretch run.
The Marlins’ newest acquisition will head to the Dbacks in exchange for lefty starter Caleb Smith as well as pitching prospects Humerto Mejia and Julio Frias.
Marte is expected to debut for the Marlins against the Blue Jays this week.
