Royals Sign Starling Marte to One-Year Deal, Designate Dairon Blanco for Assignment
Kansas City adds the 37-year-old as a veteran part-time option on an incentive-laden contract to target left-handed matchups.
Overview
- The team announced a one-year major-league contract worth $1 million guaranteed with up to $2 million in roster and performance bonuses.
- Kansas City cleared a 40-man roster spot by designating outfielder Dairon Blanco for assignment.
- Marte is expected to fill a part-time role at designated hitter and in the corner outfield, offering right-handed offense against left-handed pitching.
- His recent seasons with the Mets were curtailed by recurring groin problems and other injuries, leading to near full-time DH usage in 2025.
- The two-time All-Star has a .285 career batting average with 163 home runs and 361 stolen bases over 14 MLB seasons.