Starling Marte Throws Shade At Former Club

Former Pirates outfielder Starling Marte seemed to throw some shade at his ex-club when he spoke with Our Esquina’s website. Within the article, Marte alluded to how it’s nice to be competing this year and willing to do what it takes to win and make it happen. There’s no doubt Marte was talking about the Pirates and their lack of spending.

The 33-year-old Dominican native spent eight years with the Pirates (2012-19) and switched from left field to center field once Andrew McCutchen was traded in 2018 to the San Fransico Giants. Over his time in Pittsburgh, Marte slashed .287/.341/.452, with an OPS of .793.

Marte found himself a part of the Pirates’ three-year playoff run from 2013-15 and played a crucial part in the Pirates’ plans during those years of competing. Eventually, all good things come to an end, and Marte was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2020 off-season for infielder Liover Peguero and right-handed pitcher Brennan Malone.

Since being traded from the Pirates, Marte has bounced around a few places, including the Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and now the New York Mets. With the Mets, Marte finds himself a part of a club that will spend what seems like an insane amount. to bring the commissioner’s trophy to New York.

MLB and MLBPA even agreed to make another tier in penalties if you spend over the CBT and are calling it the Steve Cohen tax. Cohen, as you know, is the owner of the Mets. While Pittsburgh will never see a payroll like the Mets of the world, general manager Ben Cherington said that they will spend when the time is right.

The Pirates indeed extended a cornerstone piece in Ke’Bryan Hayes and want to try at least and talk to Bryan Reynolds in an extension. So, yes, the shade thrown by Marte is warranted, but it seems as if the Pirates are trying to change, even if it’s a little.