According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Royals agreed to a Major League deal with outfielder Starling Marte, who played for the Mets for the last four seasons.

An All-Star in 2016 and 2022, Marte has put together a stellar MLB career. Now, at 37 years old, he will join forces with elite shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. with the hopes of elevating the Royals.

Does Marte have something left in the tank?

His role has shifted from a premier outfielder to more of a part-time yet valuable player. He is also a reliable designated-hitter, and is seen as a veteran leader in the locker room.

In 2025, he batted .270 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .745 OPS with the Mets, where he was mostly a DH. The fact is Marte is no longer an All-Star caliber player, but he is a very solid option for a team like the Royals.

He is a role player, Bobby Witt Jr. is the absolute star

The Royals shouldn’t expect Marte to go ballistic. That’s what Bobby Witt Jr. is there for. The Royals are seen as a contender to witn the 2026 AL Central. The team also has a solid rotation, and with Marte, they’re adding depth in their batting, which is what they need.

Beyond Alex Bregman and Bobby Witt Jr., the Rays will have two players among the AL reserves: first baseman Jonathan Aranda and second baseman Brandon Lowe. They will be the only teammates to be selected as reserves for the AL.

The reserves will be available in case any starter is unable to play due to injury or any other reason. Among the reserves, two players—Aranda and Jeremy Peña—will be making their first All-Star Game appearance.

The Complete List of Reserves

As previously mentioned, only two rookie reserves will be making their first All-Star Game appearance, while all nine other players have prior experience in such MLB events. The most veteran among the reserves are Alex Bregman (Red Sox) and Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), both with three All-Star Game appearances.

American League All-Star Starters Announced

Aaron Judge will headline the American League starters, leading a group that includes several seasoned veterans. Among them is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., making his fifth All-Star appearance. The most veteran player among all AL starters will be the Guardians’ José Ramírez, earning his seventh All-Star nod.

Ramírez is tied with the National League’s Manny Machado for the second-most All-Star selections among all players, trailing only the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, who leads with nine career appearances.

The first run of a game often provides a sense of relief, giving the scoring team a crucial early advantage. However, for a 24-year-old to launch a home run in Yankee Stadium, especially in just his second at-bat of the night, speaks volumes about Witt Jr.’s precocious power.

Adding to the sting of Witt Jr.’s series-opening blast is the continued struggles of Yankees starter Carlos Carrasco. Entering the game with a concerning 7.71 ERA through just two starts, Carrasco has now surrendered a total of five home runs in that limited span.

Yankees Ultimately Prevail Despite Witt Jr.’s Mammoth Blast

Despite Bobby Witt Jr.’s towering 388-foot home run, it wasn’t enough for the Royals to secure victory in the first game of the series. They fell to the Yankees 4-1, marking the team’s seventh loss in April. They currently hold a negative record of 6-7 for the month and are 8-9 since March. The Royals’ strongest performance has been at home, where they boast a 6-4 record.

Witt Jr. Shines Individually Despite Royals’ Loss to Yankees

Despite the defeat, Bobby Witt Jr. had a strong showing at Yankee Stadium, notching a home run and a run scored, along with two hits that ultimately weren’t enough for a team victory. His .317 batting average in that game marked one of his best individual performances of the young season.

Witt Jr. is currently projected to play a full 162 games this year, potentially reaching over 100 runs and 190 hits (his personal best is 211 hits in 2024). Expectations also include at least 20 home runs and a solid batting average.

Witt sent a clear warning to the rest of the American League, promising that the Royals will work harder than ever this MLB offseason to become a team no one wants to face. Despite the disappointment of falling short, Witt Jr. expressed his confidence in the potential of his team and the belief that their playoff exit would serve as a catalyst for future success.

“It’s tough. That is not what you want; it just feels like you let a lot of people down,” Witt said, reflecting on the loss. “But it’s part of the game. Something like this lights a fire in you and leaves a bad taste. For Kansas City Royals baseball, this is what we want to do every year—get into the postseason. Now it’s about how far we’re going to go.”

With their elimination from the postseason, Royals fans are left wondering what’s next for their team. According to Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals will be using the offseason to build on the lessons learned from this year’s playoff run. He emphasized that the team’s focus is on improving day by day, starting now.

“We’re just going to keep working forward, getting better each day throughout the offseason,” Witt continued. “It’s going to be one step at a time, but this team is special. This loss is going to be more motivation for us in the future.”

Witt Jr.’s Warning to the American League

In a statement that resonated with both his teammates and fans, Witt Jr. sent a strong message to the rest of the league: the Royals are coming for them. He expressed his pride in how the Royals have turned into a team that can compete with the best, and he promised that opponents would no longer take Kansas City lightly.

“This team is going to be special. Royals baseball is competitive now. This team’s gonna be special. Teams aren’t gonna want to play us. That’s our mantra going forward, and it’s going to be like that for a while,” Witt said.

The Royals have shown their strength and determination during the MLB playoffs, advancing to the Division Series and splitting the first two games against the Yankees. The victory in Game 2 gives them an important boost going into the next matches.

“It’s going to be electric,” shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “Going back home is going to be a lot of fun. Get the boys right, getting hot at the right time. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

“The first at-bat doesn’t define the rest of the game,” added third baseman Maikel Garcia, who recorded four hits on Monday night. Witt followed up with a warning to the Yankees: “That’s why we play nine innings in this game. It’s not one inning, not two innings, it’s nine innings. You’ve got to play the whole game. That’s what’s special about this team. We’re resilient, and we take it one thing, one inning at a time.”

What is the Royals’ objective as they return home?

The Royals aim to win the Division Series over the New York Yankees and advance to the next round of the playoffs. To achieve this, they will need to maintain their high level of play and capitalize on every opportunity that comes their way.

“You don’t ever expect to keep a team like that scoreless out of the bullpen,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “But to keep them in check, that was more representative of what our guys can do than what the other night was.”

Royals manager Matt Quatraro gathered his team for a brief meeting after their win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. During the meeting, details of the trip to Baltimore were discussed, and Bobby Witt Jr.‘s accomplishment of winning the American League batting title was recognized.

Witt, 24, expressed his excitement about traveling to Baltimore and making the playoffs for the first time in his career. The young shortstop has had an exceptional season, leading the league in several offensive categories.

“It’s special,” Witt said of the batting title. “It’s an honor. It wasn’t even really a goal, just more like, ‘If you do this, it’s special.’ You never think as a kid that it would happen. And now that it has happened, it’s special. I think it comes down to this team, just being able to put me in good situations. That’s all I want to do—try to get on, get the guys in, and score runs. It’s been a great year, and we’re just getting started.”

Royals: The Road to the Playoffs

The Royals had an impressive season, going from 106 losses in 2023 to qualifying for the playoffs in 2024. Their win over the Braves on Sunday was crucial in securing fifth place in the American League. Matt Quatraro praised his team’s effort and dedication throughout the season. “These guys deserve all the credit in the world,” Quatraro said.

Bobby Witt Jr.: A rising star

Witt Jr. has proven to be one of the brightest stars in MLB. The 24-year-old has put up impressive offensive numbers and has been instrumental in the Royals’ success. Witt has led the league in several categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and hits.

Judge, star of the Yankees, is known for his offensive power and leadership. Witt Jr., of the Royals, has impressed with his versatility and ability to contribute in all facets of the game.

Although they are rivals on the field, Judge and Witt Jr. share a relationship built on mutual respect and admiration. Witt Jr. has praised Judge’s consistency and leadership, while Judge has acknowledged Witt Jr.’s talent and potential.

“He’s just so consistent,” Bobby Witt Jr. told ESPN this week. “He does that in a good way, and he does it the right way.” And his favorite part? The fact that Aaron does it all without showing off. “He’s not out there showboating. He’s a big dude,” Bobby emphasized.

A historic feat

Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. are on their way to achieving a historic feat. Both players are poised to become the third duo in the same league to reach double digits in WAR in a single season. This feat has only been accomplished 46 times since the modern MLB era, highlighting the exceptional level of play from Judge and Witt Jr.

The duel for the MVP

In addition to their on-field matchup, Judge and Witt Jr. are also contenders for the AL MVP award. Both players have had impressive seasons and are strong candidates for the honor.

The duel between Judge and Witt Jr. promises to be exciting and full of intensity. Baseball fans are eagerly awaiting how these two talented players will go head-to-head on the field.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Bryce Harper, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are just a few of the players baseball fans can’t wait to see during the course of the season, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and New York Mets are the odds-on favorites at BetMGM to win the World Series at year’s end.

Then there are the young up and coming MLB players that are surely going to catch fanattention during the course of the regular season. Here is a list of the top 5 MLB prospects for the 2022 season.

Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles

The number 1 draft pick in 2019, Adley Rutschman is hungry for the big time, coming off of a right tricep strain, Rutschman has all the tools to become a superstar in the MLB. Rutschman bats well in the strike zone and is a switch- hitter.

While playing in Triple-A ball the Orioles top pick batted .312/.405/.490 in 43 games. Listed on the 2022 season roster Rutschman is hoping to cut through the red tape and get some games during the season. MLB pundits have Rutschman playing by May.

Bobby Witt Jr., SS/3B, Kansas City Royals

The number 2 pick in the MLB draft in 2019, Bobby Witt Jr. was a stud during his days in Double and Triple-A, Witt Jr. has the makings of a power hitter and good defenseman mixing it up at shortstop and third base.

Pundits within the MLB have placed Bobby Witt Jr. in all-star class; if he breaks into the lineup in Kansas City sooner rather than later, Witt Jr. is expected to contribute to his team at the start of the season.

Julio Rodríguez, OF, Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodríguez has the makings of a big-time contributor for the Seattle Mariners, being able to hit well in Double A ball last season. Rodríguez has played in right field mostly but can switch to center when called upon.

MLB projections have him playing as early as May no later than June. Known for his big work ethic MLB scouts are high on Rodríguez and he could be a big star in the making.

Riley Greene, OF, Tigers

The fifth pick of the 2019 draft, has already played in Double and Triple A ball hitting 301/.387/.534 with 24 home runs. Scouts have rated him as a good hitter and Greene could end up playing center field for the Tigers to start his MLB career.

With no real reason why Riley Greene should be held back by the Tigers, look for the young man to make his MLB debut on opening day. (NOTE:Riley Greene has a fractured foot and is out of action with no timetable on his return)

Francisco Álvarez, C, Mets

It’s been a long time since Mets fans have had a good feeling about their team and with Francisco Álvarez in the mix, Queens, New York could be the place to be in the National League in 2022. Francisco Álvarez has raw power hitting 24 home runs in the minors in 2021.

With room to grow and a team that on paper looks bound for big things, look for Álvarez to get his games this season if all goes well. The prospect has a tremendous upside and will be one of the main young players to watch. “Make it to the bigs. Make it to the bigs. That’s the goal,” Álvarez told reporters, well it looks like it will happen in 2022.