Spanish
United States. The Kansas City Royals have reportedly reached a contract agreement with Dominican outfielder Starling Marte, according to reports released this Saturday. So far, the organization has not made the signing official.
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At 37 years old, Marte has just completed his 14th season in the Major Leagues, displaying a performance that recalled several of his best seasons. In 2025, defending the colors of the "New York Mets", the veteran saw action in 98 games, in which he recorded a batting average of .270, an on-base percentage of .335, and a slugging percentage of .410, for an OPS of .745. His offensive performance was above the circuit average, reflected in an OPS+ of 111, in addition to representing his most productive performance since 2022, a season in which he participated in the All-Star Game and received votes for the Most Valuable Player award. Starting June 1st and until the end of the 2025 season, the Dominican player further elevated his offensive performance by batting .289 with an OPS of .766, staging a notable comeback after starting the year without a defined role within the team. During the past offseason, the Mets explored the possibility of trading Marte after the arrival of the also Dominican Juan Soto, although no trade ultimately materialized. Given that scenario, the veteran assumed a more limited role and continued contributing professionally. In this stage of his career, Marte is projected primarily as a designated hitter. The two-time Gold Glove winner barely played 12 games in the outfield during the last campaign. While for much of his career he stood out as one of the most dangerous runners in baseball, his stolen base production has decreased. In 2025 he achieved seven steals, raising his lifetime total to 361, a figure that keeps him as the active leader in that department in the Major Leagues. ⚾
