The stars are aligning for a trade between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman needs a center fielder after losing Aaron Hicks to wrist surgery.
The Miami Marlins can dangle center fielder Starling Marte, who’s hitting .351 with five home runs in 30 games this season.
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And don’t forget that the Marlins’ front office has several ties to New York, including CEO Derek Jeter (who won five World Series titles in 20 seasons with the Yankees) and general manager Kim Ng (who cut her teeth under Cashman’s guidance).
On top of that, Marlins manager Don Mattingly is a former Yankees star and coach who’s doing his best to talk up Marte. Per the Miami Herald:
“One of those guys that’s just kind of truly one of those five-tool guys you talk about,” Mattingly said. “He runs, throws, hits, hits for power. And he’s a leader in our clubhouse as well. He’s good with our guys and understands how to play. He’s been really good.”
Last week, the Herald’s Craig Mish reported Marte wants to stay with Miami and “end his career here. He told me he would like the organization to speak with him about an extension.” But Mish also reported “Ng says there have been no conversations with Starling Marte about an extension.”
The 32-year-old Marte, a two-time Gold Glove winner, will be a free agent after the season, making him an attractive short-term rental for contenders.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, “Marte is still owed about $7.9 million of this season’s $12.5 million salary between now and the end of the year.”
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