Inside The Pinstripes

MLB Insider Calls This Outfielder a 'Great Fit' For Yankees in Free Agency

The Yankees could sign Oakland Athletics center fielder Starling Marte in free agency, an outfielder that one MLB insider said would be a great fit in New York.

Max Goodman

This outfielder was on the Yankees' radar ahead of this year's trade deadline. Now, he's set to enter free agency this winter.

Starling Marte, who finished out the 2021 season with the Oakland Athletics, is a "great fit" for the top of New York's lineup, per The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

Marte, 33, hit .310 (145-for-467) with 12 home runs, 89 runs scored, 55 RBI and an .841 OPS across a total of 120 games. He started this past season with the Miami Marlins.

Although Aaron Hicks is poised to return to the starting lineup in center field, the switch-hitter has been a serious liability in recent years when it comes to durability. Hicks played in only 32 games in 2021 (season-ending wrist injury) and has appeared in more than 100 games only two times over his six seasons with New York.

That in mind, here's a player that has elite speed (47 steals in 2021), plays solid defense (4 OAA per Statcast this past year) and can keep the line moving out of the leadoff spot. The Yankees as a team had just 63 steals in 2021. Marte would be an upgrade, wreaking havoc in more ways than one.

The Yankees have other glaring needs to address this offseason. Namely the situation at shortstop entering free agency. But if the price is right—and after New York made a push to acquire Marte this past summer—this could be a solid match.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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