The New York Mets could potentially re-sign a familiar face this offseason. Free agent Starling Marte and the Mets share mutual interest in a reunion, sources first indicated to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated.
Report: Mets Interested in Starling Marte Reunion
Marte is coming off a season in which he slashed .270/.335/.410 with a .745 OPS, nine home runs, and 34 RBI in 98 games for the Mets. He has dealt with a plethora of injuries during his four years with the club. Over the past two seasons, Marte has had a nagging right knee injury and underwent double groin surgery after the 2022 season, which affected his play in 2023, limiting him to just 83 games.
Marte’s strongest season in a Mets uniform came in 2022, his first year with the club. The outfielder-turned-designated-hitter was a National League All-Star and slashed .292/.347/.468 with a .815 OPS, 16 home runs, and 63 RBI in 118 games.
Marte’s Future
Marte, 37, finished out his four-year, $78 million contract he signed ahead of the 2022 season. After four seasons with the Mets, there is a distinct possibility he played his last home game at Citi Field. However, the two-time All-Star does not want that to be the case.
“Only god knows, but with continued good health, I’d love to have the opportunity to play at least three or four more years,” Marte said in an interview, “and continue to be part of this team and continue to help the younger guys grow.”
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Of course, Marte and superstar Juan Soto have a close friendship. That friendship grew even closer when Soto joined the team ahead of the 2025 season, when he landed the largest contract in professional sports history at 15 years and $765 million. Amid clubhouse issues last season, Soto told the New York Post that Marte was actually the captain of the team.
Juan Soto and Starling Marte were at the Bad Bunny concert in the Dominican Republic tonight
(via IG/marte06) pic.twitter.com/Y5kAtNj7yk
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) November 22, 2025
“[Starling Marte] is literally the leader of this team — I feel like he’s actually the captain of this team,” Soto told The Post. “He brings everybody together. He’s bringing the energy that we need. He’s a guy who has been stepping up every single time, it doesn’t matter what.”
“He is actually the real deal of the team. He’s the model of the team. Everybody, when they want to talk and get to know something or have a conversation, they can go to him. He’s actually the real deal.”
For a Mets team that had a ton of clubhouse issues, Marte was a bright spot, which is part of the reason why the Mets have some level of interest in bringing him back. The return of Marte would also appease Soto, who would continue to get to play with his close friend.
If re-signed, Marte could return as a bench piece who can serve as a part-time DH and outfielder, similar to the role he had last year.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images