Mets outfielder still a trade target for AL team on the rise

The Mets have an outfield problem, but relief could come soon.

New York has six outfielders on their 26-man roster, taking space away for a much-needed utility infielder. One of those outfielders, Starling Marte, could be on the move soon — if the Mets can negotiate a deal with the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals had expressed interest in Marte earlier this winter, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, but couldn’t agree, because they felt the Mets' asking price was too high — relievers Hunter Harvey or Angel Zerpa.

“But Kansas City has not totally extinguished this possibility,” Sherman reports.

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If the Mets can find some common ground with the Royals, it would be to their benefit. While Marte has been a positive force in the clubhouse, willingly taking a diminished role to stay, his presence does deprive the roster of another infielder.

With infielder Nick Madrigal out for the season with a shoulder injury, the Mets don’t have a bench player who can play shortstop. third baseman Brett Baty is expected to begin taking reps there soon, but it remains to be seen if he can play the position competently.

The Mets could start the season with Luisangel Acuña, who can play second base, shortstop and outfield, but they’d likely want him to continue getting regular playing time in the minors.

Marte is owed $20.75 million on his contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season. His time with the Mets has been mired in injury. In three seasons, he’s played in 298 games and batted .272 with a .731 OPS.

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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.