Starling Marte’s importance to Mets — and Juan Soto — has only deepened

Starling Marte’s lineup presence is one thing, but then there’s what he means in the Mets dugout and clubhouse, at least to the team’s most visible player.

In a clubhouse loaded with veterans — a group that also includes Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso — it’s the manner in which the 36-year-old outfielder conducts his daily business that places Marte on a pedestal, from Juan Soto’s perspective.

“He’s literally the leader of this team — I feel like he’s actually the captain of this team,” Soto told The Post. “He’s bringing everybody together. He’s bringing the energy that we need. He’s a guy who has been stepping up every single time, it doesn’t matter what.

“He’s actually the real deal of the team. He’s the model of the team. Everybody, when they want to talk and get to know something or have a conversation, they can go to him. He’s actually the real deal.”