Second baseman Ketel Marte has been in commerce rumors all winter however goes to remain in Arizona. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic stories that Marte is not going to be traded. Marte will due to this fact open the season on the keystone with the Diamondbacks.
This at all times appeared to be the most definitely consequence. Very early within the offseason, normal supervisor Mike Hazen stated that different groups would name about Marte and he would take heed to their affords however he thought of it unlikely that something would come collectively.
It’s completely comprehensible why groups would strive, as Marte is among the higher gamers within the recreation in the present day. Over the previous three years, he’s hit 89 dwelling runs. His 11.2% stroll price and 16.7% strikeout price are each robust figures. His mixed line of .283/.368/.519 interprets to a 140 wRC+, one of many ten finest figures amongst certified hitters for that span.
On prime of the efficiency, his contract is team-friendly, comparatively talking. He’s owed $102.5MM over the following six seasons, barely over $17MM per 12 months. That’s a good chunk of change however many different celebrity gamers make between $30 to $50MM yearly, which makes the Marte deal a discount.
That makes him extremely precious for the Diamondbacks however there have been nonetheless causes to assume they is perhaps open to a deal. For one, Marte is on the cusp of ten-and-five rights. A participant will get full no-trade safety after they have ten years of service time and have spent the previous 5 seasons with the identical membership. Marte has been with the Diamondbacks for 9 years and is simply ten days away from hitting the ten-year service mark. His present deal solely permits him to dam offers to 5 golf equipment. If there was a time for the Snakes to commerce Marte, it could be now, as will probably be more durable sooner or later.
On prime of that, Arizona wants pitching and seems to have a good finances. There was additionally some reported clubhouse discord throughout the 2025 season, as some fellow Snakes appeared disgruntled at Marte’s penchant for lacking video games. Put all of it collectively and it was at the very least potential to see the Diamondbacks taking place a path the place they traded Marte for pitching, whereas additionally releasing up some money for different pursuits, comparable to their reported curiosity in Alex Bregman.
Regardless, Hazen would downplay the chance every time requested, highlighting that Marte is among the membership’s finest gamers and a key a part of their plans to contend. Although he dutifully listened to different golf equipment, he stated a bit of over every week in the past that the membership must shut the door sooner or later as a way to slender their concentrate on constructing out the 2026 roster. It appears that evidently they by no means obtained a suggestion they thought of viable and have formally taken Marte off the market.
Extra to return.
