"Starling Marte may have a better offensive season than Nolan Arenado" - Sportscaster makes feelings known on 8x All-Star's potential fit with Mets

If one would have asked who's better between Nolan Arenado and Starling Marte, the answer probably would be Arenado. However, sportscaster Evan Roberts believes Marte will have a better season than Arenado in 2025.

While discussing backup options for the New York Mets on WFAN Sunday, Arenado's name popped up. The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to part ways with his hefty contract this offseason by trading him to a contender, possibly the Dodgers and the Yankees. For the Mets, Roberts said that he won't give up Marte for the eight-time All-Star.

"I don’t want to give up Starling Marte, though. I’ll tell you that right now. I think Starling Marte may have a better offensive season than Nolan Arenado," Roberts said (28:50 onwards).

Roberts also shared the reason for his claim.

"When they played last year, how many big hits did Marte get? He can play right field, he can DH," Roberts said. "He may not play 100 games—maybe only 70—but if I’m taking Nolan Arenado, and let’s say the Cardinals are picking up part of his contract, or maybe I’m paying for him because Steve Cohen’s got a lot of money, I don’t want to weaken my roster. I don’t want to lessen it.

"If I’m taking Nolan Arenado back, I’ve always heard, ‘Oh, just send them back Starling Marte.’ No. No. I’m good. I’d hold on to Starling Marte. I think he can be a useful player on this team."

Roberts' claim that Marte could be better than Arenado is a bit far-fetched. Even though Arenado is in a decline, he still hit .272 with a reduction in power numbers (16 home runs) last season, while Marte hit .269 and seven home runs.

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Evan Roberts shares Nolan Arenado's struggles both on plate and hot corner

Arenado is 33, so one expects him to hit a decline. But with him taking up much of the Cardinals payroll, he has become the subject of trade rumors.

During the aforementioned conversation on WFAN, Evan Roberts highlighted the third baseman's struggles both at the plate and at the hot corner.

"The deal with Nolan Arenado is that he is on a steady decline over the last three years," Roberts added.

"That’s number one. If you go to Statcast or Baseball Savant and look closer—was this just a bad luck year? Is there something off here?—there are two metrics that scare you. He’s not hitting the ball hard anymore, and his arm strength at third base is starting to decline."

There's still reason to believe that Nolan Arenado might have just had an odd year, as he made the All-Star team in 2023. However, Roberts believes that although Mets owner Steve Cohen isn't afraid of money, the third baseman is not a good bargain to give up for Marte.