SAN DIEGO -- While the Pirates were mostly quiet during the first full day of the Winter Meetings Monday, word of possible trades began to pop up Tuesday, with most of the buzz centering on Starling Marte.
Two teams have reported interest in Marte already: The Mets and the Diamondbacks. However, there are plenty of other teams who should be in the market for a center fielder, and with the lack of good free agent options available, they could inquire about Marte.
The Pirates, of course, have needs, the most pressing of which is catching, a position where they have only Jacob Stallings on the roster and are barren in the farm system.
On Tuesday, when asked about what type of minor-league talent the Pirates would target in a potential trade, GM Ben Cherington said, "We'd probably just focus on the best player available" over trading for a certain need. So while acquiring a controllable catcher would certainly be a plus, a trade for Marte or anyone else does not appear to be contingent on getting a backstop.
I have already written about what Marte's trade value could be, given his salary and projected production. This is an examination of his market, who could pay the price to acquire him and who the Pirates could potentially look at in return.
METS
The Mets were the first team linked to Marte this offseason, and although they have already acquired Jake Marisnick from the Astros, they are still interested in Marte.
The Mets were the dreaded sixth best team in the National League last year, and their lack of production from center field was a big reason why they just missed the postseason. The 3-WAR upgrade Marte represented over their batch of center fielders last season would have theoretically put them in a tie with the Brewers for the final playoff spot. Marisnick does not offer that same impact.
The Mets have a handful of intriguing infield prospects, including Mark Vientos and Andrés Giménez, but very little in terms of high upside pitching or catching. A trade with the Mets would test Cherington's belief in acquiring the best young players available, regardless of position.
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DIAMONDBACKS
The Diamondbacks just seem to be one hitter short at the moment. Ketel Marte gives them great flexibility to play either second base or center field, and David Peralta can handle either corner outfield position. That would make someone like Starling Marte, who could play center or left field, a good potential fit.
The Diamondbacks have a deep farm system, especially among players near the backend of the top 100 prospect list- which is approximately what Marte's trade value would be. One of those minor-leaguers is catcher Daulton Varsho. While he still needs a little more grooming in the minors, he demolished Double-A pitching last year and is a universal top 100 pick. While most teams are hoarding their top catching prospects, the Diamondbacks could be willing to move him since they already have a good young catcher, Carson Kelly, in the majors.
The Diamondbacks have a good core of position players, and they evidently feel confident enough in their pitching to look to upgrade in the outfield.
PHILLIES
The Phillies have several holes in the infield, and that is their main focus at the moment, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. They plugged one by signing Didi Gregorious Tuesday. While they could use Scott Kingery to fill another, that would create an opening in center field. Andrew McCutchen tore his ACL last year, so he would be better off in a corner position. It is not clear yet what they will do with the incumbent Odubel Herrera, who lost his starting job to Kingery several days before Herrera was suspended for assaulting his girlfriend last year.
It is safe to assume third baseman Alec Bohm is off the table for all clubs. That leaves right-handers Spencer Howard and Adonis Medina as the next best options for a potential return. Out of the two, Howard's heater is faster and Medina's slider has more spin. Howard also offers a curveball as a fourth pitch.
CUBS
The Cubs are looking to shed payroll for 2020, going as far as floating the idea of trading Kris Bryant to create financial flexibility. That opens two trains of thought: That they either cannot afford to add Marte's $11.5 million salary, or that his modest contract makes him desirable. Either way, there is no question they need a center fielder. Albert Almora Jr. had a horrible season, Ian Happ spent most of last year in the minors and Jason Heyward is not an every-day center fielder.
Like the Diamondbacks, the Cubs have an intriguing catching prospect: Miguel Amaya. However, they have entertained the idea of dealing current catcher Willson Contreras, so it's unclear if he is available.
The Cubs do not appear to know what direction to head or what moves to make at the moment. At the very least, they are not telegraphing their position.
WHITE SOX
On the South Side of Chicago, the Sox have been one of the more active teams this winter, signing Yasmani Grandal and Jose Abreu. Their focus at the moment appears to be for pitching, but they are also in need of an outfielder. The rumors about them signing Marcell Ozuna have turned out to be false, so there is an opening.
The White Sox would be an interesting trade partner because they have five catchers on their 40-man roster, three of whom are young and controllable. While Zack Collins profiles much better as a first baseman and there are questions about how good prospects Yermin Mercedes or Seby Vavala are, they have catching options who might not be good enough to highlight a prospect package for Marte, but definitely compliment it while filling a need for the Pirates.