{"id":2305448,"date":"2026-02-28T19:41:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2305448"},"modified":"2026-02-28T19:41:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:41:16","slug":"royals-sign-all-star-of-away-from-mets-ahead-of-opening-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/royals-sign-all-star-of-away-from-mets-ahead-of-opening-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Royals Sign All-Star OF Away From Mets Ahead of Opening Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_5\"><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6e q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Kansas City Royals have been through quite a roller coaster ride over the last few years. A few seasons ago, they were one of the worst teams in all of baseball, as it seemed like they were years away from contending for a postseason spot. But in 2024, they bounced back in a huge way behind an MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr. to sneak into the postseason.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6f q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">The Kansas City Royals have been through quite a roller coaster ride over the last few years. A few seasons ago, they were one of the worst teams in all of baseball, as it seemed like they were years away from contending for a postseason spot. But in 2024, they bounced back in a huge way behind an MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr. to sneak into the postseason.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6h q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Last season, the Royals couldn&#39;t repeat this magic. They fell short of the postseason and a .500 record because their pitching staff was crushed with injuries. Still, it felt like a positive year because the Royals saw breakout performances from Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino, among others.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6i q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6j\">Last season, the Royals couldn&#8217;t repeat this magic. They fell short of the postseason and a .500 record because their pitching staff was crushed with injuries. Still, it felt like a positive year because the Royals saw breakout performances from Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino, among others.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6k q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><em>If you like our content,&nbsp;<\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\"><em><strong>choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6l q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6m\"><em>If you like our content,\u00a0<\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\"><em><strong>choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6n q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Heading into the 2026 season, there&#39;s a lot to be excited about in Kansas City. Witt is back for another season, though he&#39;s headed to the World Baseball Classic first. Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans are healthy and ready to dominate again. And the Royals recently made a solid signing a few weeks before opening day.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6o q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6p\">Heading into the 2026 season, there&#8217;s a lot to be excited about in Kansas City. Witt is back for another season, though he&#8217;s headed to the World Baseball Classic first. Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans are healthy and ready to dominate again. And the Royals recently made a solid signing a few weeks before opening day.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6q q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Starling Marte is a high reward addition for the Royals<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6r q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6s\">Starling Marte is a high reward addition for the Royals<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=6t q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_4444,h_2499,x_0,y_0\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/inside_the_royals\/01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b--><!--qv q:id=6u q:key=VjqC:mL_1--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=deAA:7d_2--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6v q:key=--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=deAA:7d_1--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6w q:key=--><!--qv q:id=6x q:key=cHU9:7d_0--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=deAA:e2_0--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=B0c2:SZ_1--><\/p>\n<figure q:key=\"9m_3\" q:id=\"70\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=6z q:key=--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6y q:key=--><\/p>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden undefined\" on:qvisible=\"q-Bx0NMGa_.js#_hW[0]\" q:id=\"71\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 1x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 2x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 1x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 2x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 1x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 2x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4444,h_2499\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kjjtzmencbs2pw9m2b.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/p>\n<p><figcaption q:id=\"73\">Sep 17, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Starling Marte (6) celebrates with second baseman Jeff McNeil (1) after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=74 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Early Saturday morning, there were rumblings that the Royals were close to signing New York Mets veteran outfielder Starling Marte. After a few hours, MLB&#39;s Mark Feinsand reported the two sides had <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Feinsand\/status\/2027822807682351170?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">agreed to a deal to bring Marte to Kansas City<\/a> for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">Early Saturday morning, there were rumblings that the Royals were close to signing New York Mets veteran outfielder Starling Marte. After a few hours, MLB&#8217;s Mark Feinsand reported the two sides had <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Feinsand\/status\/2027822807682351170?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">agreed to a deal to bring Marte to Kansas City<\/a> for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=77 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Marte is a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, but those days are in the past. Still, he held a respectable 111 OPS+ in 98 games with the Mets last season. That&#39;s coming after a 107 OPS+ season in 2024 with the Mets. He&#39;s combined to be worth 1.7 WAR over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Marte is a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, but those days are in the past. Still, he held a respectable 111 OPS+ in 98 games with the Mets last season. That&#8217;s coming after a 107 OPS+ season in 2024 with the Mets. He&#8217;s combined to be worth 1.7 WAR over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=7a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Marte isn&#39;t going to be a massive addition for the Royals, but it&#39;s low risk and high reward. In 2022, he was an All-Star. If the Royals can tap into that Marte, they could have an everyday outfielder on their hands on an affordable deal. At worst, he platoons and is used as a bench bat. There&#39;s very limited risk for the Royals.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Marte isn&#8217;t going to be a massive addition for the Royals, but it&#8217;s low risk and high reward. In 2022, he was an All-Star. If the Royals can tap into that Marte, they could have an everyday outfielder on their hands on an affordable deal. At worst, he platoons and is used as a bench bat. There&#8217;s very limited risk for the Royals.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_3--><!--qv q:id=7d q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The aggressiveness from the front office should be applauded in Kansas City.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">The aggressiveness from the front office should be applauded in Kansas City.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.si.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kansas City Royals have been through quite a roller coaster ride over the last few years. A few seasons ago, they were one of the worst teams in all of baseball, as it seemed like they were years away from contending for a postseason spot. But in 2024, they bounced back in a huge [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2305449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2305448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Royals-Sign-All-Star-OF-Away-From-Mets-Ahead-of-Opening.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2305448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2305448"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2305448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2305450,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2305448\/revisions\/2305450"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2305449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2305448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2305448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2305448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}