Plenty of trade partners exist if Pirates choose to move Starling Marte

Starling Marte does not necessarily want out of Pittsburgh, but he made it clear this past week being traded from the Pirates wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“If it was for me, I will leave for a team that is ready to compete right now on a World Series, and that’s not our case,” the center fielder told radio station Deportivo Z 101 in his native Dominican Republic.

Marte easily could be wearing another uniform when spring training begins in February.

It seems likely the Pirates will begin a rebuilding or retooling effort after bringing in a new club president, general manager and manager since the end of last season. GM Ben Cherington hasn’t said what direction he wants to take the team, but it seems likely roster changes are in store after a 69-93 season that was good for last place in the National League Central.

While the 31-year-old Marte is still a quality player, he also could be more valuable to the Pirates as a trade chip to bring younger talent into the organization.

The Pirates could use all the pitching they can get after finishing 14th in the 15-team NL with a 5.18 ERA this year. As evidenced by so many pitchers who were called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and overwhelmed, the Pirates lack depth on the mound throughout the organization.

A catcher who could either move into the starting lineup next season or a prospect who could wind up being a long-term fixture behind the plate would be welcomed. The Pirates also have little power on the major league roster or in the farm system, a fatal flaw in today’s home run-oriented game.

Here are three teams that could potentially match up with the Pirates as trade partners for Marte:

New York Mets

The Mets haven’t been to the postseason since 2015 and are in win-now mode under second-year general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.

Brandon Nimmo is projected as the starting center fielder but has the range of a corner outfielder. The same goes for right fielder Michael Conforto, who also played some center field last season.

The Pirates likely would target catching prospect catcher Francisco Alvarez, who is just 18 and would be a long-term project. A pitching prospect the Mets might be willing to part with is left-hander David Peterson, their first-round draft pick in 2017 who pitched at Double-A this year.

Another intriguing possibility is 24-year-old first baseman Dominic Smith, who is blocked at the position by 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso. The left-handed hitting Smith has batted .236/.295/450 in 194 games over three seasons with the Mets but did swat 11 home runs in 195 plate appearances this year.

While Smith would be blocked in the Pirates’ lineup by Josh Bell — provided the switch-hitter isn’t also traded this winter — he has some experience in the outfield.

Philadelphia Phillies

Center fielder Odubel Herrera missed most of last season because of a suspension for violating MLB’s domestic abuse policy. There are indications the Phillies want to move on from him.

The Pirates likely would ask for third baseman Alec Bohm, the Phillies’ first-round draft pick in 2018, but lots of luck with that. More realistic prospect targets might be right-hander Enyel De Los Santos, catcher Rafael Marchan and outfielder Mickey Moniak.

De Los Santos has compiled a 5.70 ERA in 12 major league games, including three starts, but is 23 and has plenty of upside. Marchan, 20, finished last season at high Class A Clerwater. Moniak has struggled in professional baseball but is still just 21 and has the pedigree of being the first overall selection in the 2016 amateur draft.

Chicago Cubs

Albert Almora Jr. hasn’t turned out to be the long-term answer in center field, so Marte would be an upgrade for the Cubs. Furthermore, Cherington worked with Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer in the Boston Red Sox’s front office.

Catcher Miguel Anaya likely would be of interest to the Pirates, and he is projected to begin the 2020 season at Double-A. The Cubs’ system is thin in general, but right-hander Adbert Alzolay is 24, made his major league debut this season and seems to have upside.

The Pirates also might take a flier on Almora to see if the 25-year-old can turn his career around in a new organization.