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Tim Daniels is the featured Columnist IV of the New York Mets.
AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
The New York Mets and outfielder Starling Marte have reportedly reached an agreement on a four-year, $78 million contract, pending a physical.
Jon Heyman reported the deal late Friday night.
In 2020 he led the league in stolen bases with 47 while splitting the year between the Miami Marlins and Oakland A's. It was his career high in that category.
The 33-year-old did more than just shine on the basepaths. He had a.308 batting average and.837 OPS, both second-highest marks of his career, and 12 home runs across 120 appearances.
"I'm trying to help the team as best I can, in any way I can, and I'm going to try and duplicate my numbers as best I can every year and try to get better every single year," he said.
His resume includes an All-Star appearance in 2016 and back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in 2015 and 2016, all with the Pirates.
Even though he has become known for his speed, he still has a.796 career OPS and 126 homers in 10 MLB seasons. His 30.7 WAR since 2012 is eighth among all outfielders.
With a star-laden free-agent class, he could prove to be one of the best bangs for the buck, but he didn't generate a lot of attention.
The stolen base is not as prominent within MLB as it was in the past, but it adds to what the Mets are getting from Marte's all-around game since he gets on base at a high rate.
New York's lineup ranked 27th in runs scored last season and should be expanded with the addition of Marte as the starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.
