Royals, Starling Marte agree to major-league contract: Source

The Kansas City Royals agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with veteran Starling Marte on Saturday, according to a league source.

The Royals held some interest in Marte, 37, dating back to last year, when he was still with the Mets. He spent the past four seasons with New York after signing as a free agent in November 2021.

Marte hasn’t played in 100 games since 2022. He batted .270/.335/.410 in 98 games for the Mets last season with nine homers and seven stolen bases — his first full season without double-digit steals.

Though Marte has spent significant time at all three outfield positions throughout his 14-year career, he predominantly served as New York’s designated hitter during the past two seasons. The Royals’ leading candidate to serve as the primary DH is 22-year-old Carter Jensen, who batted .300 last season in 69 plate appearances with Kansas City. Jensen hits left-handed and also serves as the team’s backup catcher, so Marte could figure into the team’s DH plans when Jensen is behind the plate.