Starling Marte projected to end up in Cleveland
The Oakland A’s are not going to sign any significant free agents. That has been their modus operandi for years, preferring to look for bargains instead of pursuing the top names in free agency. It is a matter of keeping a strict watch on their bottom line, finding every way possible to maximize a profit for the A’s.
The same could be said of the Cleveland Guardians. They have spent much of the past few offseasons looking to shed salary, straddling the line between competing and watching the bottom line. However, MLB.com feels that time may be coming to an end, as they predict that Starling Marte will end up in Cleveland.
Starling Marte predicted to end up with Cleveland Guardians
There is the caveat that MLB.com does state these are bold predictions. However, it also makes a degree of sense for the Guardians to be willing to shop at the top of the free agent market. They have just $12 million committed to the 2022 season, and nothing on the books thereafter, although it is highly likely that they pick up Jose Ramirez‘s $13 million option for 2023.
Marte is going to be an expensive option for the Guardians. He had an impressive 2021 campaign, posting a .310/.383/.458 batting line with 12 homers and 27 doubles in his 526 plate appearances between the Marlins and A’s. Additionally, Marte led the majors with 47 steals, even though he did not lead either league due to the trade.
Cleveland is in desperate need of a dynamic presence atop their lineup. For far too much of the 2021 season, Ramirez and Franmil Reyes were the only offensive threats that the Guardians had. Marte would change that, but the Guardians will have a lot of competition for his services.
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Starling Marte is expected to land with the Cleveland Guardians in free agency. It would be a drastic departure in approach for a team that acts similarly to the Oakland A’s.