The Royals Finally Pull the Plug on the Starling Marte Experiment
The Kansas City Royals have designated 37-year-old outfielder Starling Marte for assignment after a disappointing stint featuring a .242 average and just two home runs.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 1 min read
Finding live odds…
The Kansas City Royals just designated Starling Marte for assignment, officially ending an experiment that felt like it was held together by duct tape and nostalgia.
The 37-year-old outfielder is now off the 40-man roster, meaning his one-year, $1 million guaranteed deal has essentially been converted into a very expensive severance package. MLB Trade Rumors relayed the move Monday evening, confirming what anyone watching the Royals' outfield production already suspected.
"MLB Trade Rumors reported the transaction via Twitter: 'Royals Designate Starling Marte For Assignment'"
Marte was brought in this past March to provide right-handed bench depth and veteran leadership. Instead, he delivered a .242 batting average, two home runs, and 14 RBIs before the front office finally pulled the plug. For context, you could probably find a guy in Double-A to hit two homers for a fraction of the cost and zero of the medical red flags.
The writing has been on the wall for a while. Marte's last few years with the New York Mets read less like a baseball career and more like a medical journal, featuring everything from double groin surgeries to migraines and a bruised knee. The Royals looked at that chart and thought they could fix him, which is the exact same logic people use when buying a 2004 BMW with 150,000 miles on it.
Kansas City is currently trying to navigate a late-August schedule that just featured tight battles against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels. With the Oakland Athletics in town next, the Royals clearly decided they needed a functional roster spot more than they needed a 14-year veteran hitting singles every third Tuesday. If you are holding any futures tickets on the Royals, this is the kind of ruthless roster trimming you actually want to see.
Now we wait to see if another contender takes a flier on Marte for the league minimum, or if this DFA marks the end of the line for a guy who was once a premier power-speed threat. Either way, Kansas City is moving on.
Key stats
Key statsStarling Marte hit .242 with 2 home runs and 14 RBIs for the Royals.
Marte signed a 1-year, $1 million guaranteed contract in March 2026.
Marte is 37 years old and in his 15th Major League season.
What's next
Marte will likely clear waivers given his age and recent production, leaving him as a free agent. The Royals will move forward with their younger outfield options.
