Report: Astros meet with Marte's agents; Mets, Marlins also interested

Starling Marte is quickly becoming one of the hottest commodities in free agency.

Marte's agents recently met with the Houston Astros about a potential contract, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

The Astros would face significant competition for Marte's signature, though. The New York Mets and Miami Marlins are also interested in signing the 10-year veteran, according to Heyman. The Marlins, who traded Marte at the July 30 deadline, have already made him an offer, a source told the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

Marte's also been linked to the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees this winter.

Although Houston received the AL's best total production from center field last season, it was largely thanks to elite defense. The reigning AL champions' stellar outfield corps would be significantly strengthened with Marte's Gold Glove-caliber defense and spark-plug bat that's superior to Chas McCormick's.

The Mets, meanwhile, fielded one of the weaker outfields in 2021 and may lose Michael Conforto in free agency. Signing Marte would not only boost their outfield unit as a whole but potentially allow them to shift Brandon Nimmo to a corner spot.

Miami reportedly offered Marte an extension last July before trading him to Oakland for Jesus Luzardo. Marte still finished as the Marlins' leader in batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS.

Marte, 33, slashed .310/.383/.458 with 12 homers, 55 RBIs, and a major-league-leading 47 steals over 120 games with the Marlins and A's last year. The two-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder owns a lifetime .797 OPS across parts of 10 seasons with four teams.