When the Mets signed Starling Marte to a four-year, $78-million contract in the 2021 offseason, many in the organization and fanbase believed they netted their next cornerstone outfielder for the foreseeable future.

After Michael Conforto departed in free agency, no internal options seemed feasible for the Mets to take his spot. They needed someone who could replicate his power in the lineup and prowess in the field. Enter Starling Marte. He brought that and more to Queens, notably speed, something the team yearned for in recent years. In 2021, Jonathan Villar led the Mets with 14 stolen bases. In 2022, Marte stole 18 bags while missing about a quarter of the season.

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While Marte was as advertised in his first year with the Mets, he hit .292/.347/.468 with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs and 18 stolen bases, injuries plagued him. He landed on the IL four times, most notably with a wrist injury after being hit by a pitch and a groin injury that resulted in offseason surgery. In 2023, he hit the IL a couple more times with neck stiffness and migraines, and when working back from injury in August, he noted he was still suffering from groin pain. Marte mentioned another surgery might be an option during the offseason.

That brings a slew of questions for the Mets: if Marte opts for surgery, will it be effective? Is what we saw of him in 2023 the best he can offer the Mets from here on out, and what does that mean for 2024?

A Designated Hitter

The first option for the Mets is to use Marte where he’s excelled the most for them: at the plate. While he’s always been good with his glove, he is a two-time Gold Glove recipient, Marte has always been a contact-hitter who can get on base. His lifetime .287 batting average and .343 OBP can attest to that. Sure, he’s regressed with age, but if his struggles this year were because of the nagging groin issue that surgery will nix, then there’s no reason he can’t return to form.

The Mets can choose to utilize Marte as their DH, a role constantly in flux as Daniel Vogelbach never quite worked out as planned. David Stearns can then bring in a free agent to take residency in right field, someone like Adam Duvall or Cody Bellinger, two players known for their hitting and defensive flexibility.

A Platoon Role

Regardless of whether Marte has surgery, he still has two years remaining on a hefty contract. Even with Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, the Mets likely still want to utilize a player of Marte’s caliber in the best way possible. Instead of him being their starting outfielder, Marte can play in a platoon role with someone like DJ Stewart, who burst onto the scene this year.

Also, players in Syracuse and Binghamton will be knocking on the door soon enough. In a platoon role, Marte can mentor younger players like Drew Gilbert, Jeremiah Jackson and even Ronny Mauricio should the Mets choose to give him more reps in the outfield.

See Ya Later?

The least likely scenario can see Marte traded or even designated for assignment. Cohen is no stranger to letting players with big salaries go, just ask Robinson Canó. With the Mets roster bustling with prospects, space is limited, and sometimes a tough call needs to be made. Jeff McNeil can settle in anywhere on the diamond and is no stranger to the outfield. However, Marte might be limited in what he can bring to the team.

In addition, who the Mets decide to bring in during free agency might also dictate the fate of Marte. The Mets might seem hesitant about his recovery and choose to sign a power bat like Matt Chapman, which would require a bit of a roster shuffle, leaving Marte as the odd man out.

Starling Marte is one of the greats, no doubt about it. However, as age and injury start to set in, it’s hard not to wonder what kind of and how many more years the Mets will get out of him.