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Starling Marte signing with the New York Mets filled a huge need for them. They entered the offseason in desperate need of a center fielder and landed one of the best available ones in the 32-year-old former All-Star. Unfortunately, due to an oblique issue, Marte may not be ready in time for the regular season.
Marte addressed his oblique soreness to reporters, saying that an MRI revealed that it was still in need of repair but that it's nothing too serious.
Starling Marte speaks about his oblique soreness: pic.twitter.com/9oSxocvSto
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 20, 2022
The Mets' center fielder has not yet begun hitting, which is a troubling sign given that Opening Day is so close. Manager Buck Showalter said that he could still be ready in time and that there hasn't been anything negative with him.
Buck Showalter believes Starling Marte has time to get ready before the season, but he is not swinging a bat yet:
"We haven't had anything negative with it, so that's a good sign" pic.twitter.com/REmAEWULO8
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 20, 2022
Marte hits, defends and steals bases as good as anyone at his position. Last season across 120 total games between the Miami Marlins and Oakland Athletics, he posted a slash line of .303/.383/.458 and tallied 145 hits, 47 stolen bases, 27 doubles and 12 home runs.
If Marte isn't ready, the Mets outfield could be in trouble. Fellow offseason addition Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Dom Smith are the best available ones but McNeil will be needed at second base. None of them have played CF extensively, save for Nimmo, who has struggled with health in the time he has played the most difficult defensive position in the outfield.
With Michael Conforto still unsigned, now is the perfect time to sign him. He has played his entire seven-year career with the Mets and is the best available free agent. New York is looking to contend and will need to find a suitable temporary replacement for Marte.
