Starling Marte could be interesting fit for St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are searching for help after weeks of struggle. Marlins OF Starling Marte could be an option to help the taxed team.

The St. Louis Cardinals have struggled with injuries and a lack of hitting. It’s been rough to watch so it’s interesting to wonder who could be available for trade that would help. One of those interesting names could be Starling Marte.

In 140 plate appearances, he is hitting .333/.429/.534 and a .414 wOBA with a 170 wRC+. He has hit five homers, scored 28 runs with 15 RBI, and has eight stolen base. He a 2 WAR player. He can play all outfield positions, mostly centerfield.

Harrison Bader still does not have a timetable for his return from the injured list due to a rib injury. Tommy Edman was out of the lineup again on Wednesday due to discomfort in what was described as his trunk area.

More from Site News

• St. Louis Cardinals: The incredible journey of Logan Sawyer
• St. Louis Cardinals: Ask me anything with Josh Jacobs – 11/23
• Cardinals: Latest payroll projections confusing, not promising
• Cardinals: First offseason acquisition is minor but speaks volumes
• St. Louis Cardinals offseason news, rumors, 2023 payroll, and more

Edman was supposed to be the regular second baseman this season but has taken over the duties in right field after Dylan Carlson was moved to center field from right due to Bader’s injury. With Edman out the spot in right has been filled by Lane Thomas and Jose Rondon. Edmundo Sosa and Matt Carpenter have been filling in at second base.

There has been a lot of fluctuation in the lineup and who plays where. It would be nice to have some stability.

With the addition of Marte, the team could have him in center and move Carlson back to right field. The other option would be to keep Carlson in center and have Marte in right. This would allow for Edman to return to second base, where he has been successful. It would also allow the bench players to get some rest and be available for a pinch-hitting or running situation.

Once Bader returns, how Marte is used will become interesting. If another outfielder were injured, he becomes the next man up as an ultimate rotation man in the outfield. Marte would be used to give Bader, Carlson and O’Neill breaks from playing daily, splitting time with whoever isn’t performing. He could be a top-notch bench option when all three are playing. And, in a series in which a designated hitter is used, he would become the ideal candidate to be the hitter or play for an outfielder playing DH.

Marte is a valuable veteran player for the Marlins whose contract worth $53 million over eight years ends after this season. It may not take a whole lot of pieces to make a deal like this happen. John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, should at least check in with the Marlins to see about making the move.

Marte would be a quality bat and an experienced outfielder for a team desperately seeking both as they head into the summer stretch.