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Starling Marte has been traded to the Athletics for left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan. The report also shares that Miami will pay the rest of his contract this year ($4 million), which is how they landed a highly-touted prospect controllable through 2027.
This deal helps Oakland attempt to outrun the Mariners and Yankees as they currently race for a wildcard spot.
Starling Marte is headed to the A’s, Jesus Luzardo is going to Marlins, sources tell ESPN. A 1-for-1 deal in which Miami will cover the entirety of Marte’s remaining contract — more than $4 million. Marte is a free agent this winter. Luzardo isn’t one until after the 2027 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2021
Starling Marte with a clutch homer in his first game with the Marlins pic.twitter.com/8nUSGsX0dN
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) September 2, 2020
Oakland currently sits 15th in baseball in runs scored (4.36), 23rd in batting average (.233), and 23rd in hits per game. Starling Marte will impact all of these numbers drastically.
As for Miami, they acquire a power left-handed arm that has real potential to find his way down the road. Team control through the 2026 season buys the Marlins time to develop his secondary pitches and transform the 23-year-old into a front of the line arm.
For those expecting Oakland to extend Marte — it’s literally not going to happen. They made this move for a rental of Starling Marte and an attempt at a World Series. The American League isn’t particularly strong, so this isn’t a horrible play. Either way, Miami won this trade. Nicely done, Derek Jeter/Kim NG.
