Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Idea: Starling Marte to the Padres

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have a lot of organizational reshaping to do this offseason.  One of the moves that could happen is a trade of one of their veterans.

The Pittsburgh Pirates organization is going under their biggest change since the 2010-2011 season.  The team is looking to basically bring in an entire new coaching staff (maybe not hitting coaches) and will also try to reshape the roster for 2020 and the future.

There could be moves made to get some more youth on the roster as the team looks to rebuild with a younger core.  The Bucs are already on their way to doing that with breakout rookie campaigns from Kevin Newman and Bryan Reynolds to go along with Josh Bell becoming a middle of the lineup type bat.

Still, the Bucs biggest issue this year was their lack of talent overall from the upper minors and to the major league roster.  Even more worrisome is the fact that last year’s Double-A team had the least amount of top 20 prospects on it out of all the minor league teams, meaning there is not much talent moving up to Triple-A this year.  The team may have to deal away some talented veterans to get players who will fit into this team’s timeline of competing.

Starling Marte is a very logical trade candidate due to his contract and age.  Marte is 31 years old and is in his final two seasons of team control.  Both seasons have options attached to them, at $11.5 and $12.5 million, which would make him the highest paid player on the roster.  The way the Bucs front office operates, the team will likely look to sell high on Marte’s strong season and team-friendly contract.

There are plenty of teams looking for outfield help this offseason, and the good news for the Pittsburgh Pirates is this is one of the weakest center field free agent markets this decade.  So there should be plenty of suitors.

One team that could make a lot of sense is the San Diego Padres.  The Padres currently employ Manuel Margot in centerfield.  The former top prospect still is figuring out things at the plate but he has plus speed and plays solid defense, but he may project better as a utility outfielder because of his lack of offense.

Also, the Padres seem to be on the cusp of competing.  They were aggressive last offseason bringing in Manny Machado, so they likely will look to bring in more impact talent.  The Padres have a consensus top three farm system and have a lot of MLB ready prospects to help facilitate a deal.

The fact that they could use an upgrade in centerfield, Marte having a team-friendly contract, and the Padres having the excess prospect depth to make a deal makes the two teams a fit.  Furthermore, the Padres apparently are willing to trade catcher Austin Hedges.  Hedges is one of the best defensive catchers in the game and is considered the best pitch framer in baseball.  He also has some pop, hitting for double digits home runs in each of the last three seasons.

A potential deal would likely be built around Starling Marte and Austin Hedges.  Marte obviously is the primary piece in the deal and should bring back a multiplayer haul.  However, the Bucs could sweeten the offer by attaching a reliever, say Kyle Crick?  Crick is a trade candidate this offseason after being involved in some clubhouse issues and regressing performance wise.  Teams always need bullpen help and the Padres are likely familiar with Crick due to his time in the Giants organization.

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to make a move that is going to bring in talent that can help this organization not just in 2020 but throughout the next couple years.  Yes, Marte is an ideal player to have on the team, but with his contract coming toward its end, he may not fit into the Bucs next window.  Instead, get some pieces that can help now and in the future.