Contract Details and No-Trade Clause
Ketel Marte signed a seven-year contract extension with the Diamondbacks in April that features a five-team no-trade clause. This clause has generated intrigue amid recent trade rumors surrounding the former NLCS MVP. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the teams on Marte’s no-trade list are the Athletics, Cardinals, Giants, Pirates, and Yankees, with the option to update this list each offseason.
Reasons Behind No-Trade Selections
Players often have various reasons for including specific teams on their no-trade lists, and Marte can still choose to accept a trade to any of these clubs. Interestingly, there is no clear geographical connection among the selected teams. While the Yankees reached the 2025 playoffs, the Giants, Pirates, and A’s aim to be competitive in 2026, whereas the Cardinals are rebuilding and likely not in the running to acquire Marte.
Potential Trade Partners
The Pirates and Giants have emerged as potential candidates for a trade involving Marte. With the Pirates recently acquiring Brandon Lowe from the Rays, their second base needs may be addressed; however, Lowe could also be used primarily as a designated hitter, leaving the door open for Marte’s acquisition. Nevertheless, the substantial amount left on Marte’s contract raises doubts about a trade to a cost-conscious team like the Pirates, which may align with Marte’s reservations about joining a team with limited success.
Giants’ Position and Strategy
Similar to the Pirates, the Giants have only exceeded .500 once in the last nine years, but they have shown more willingness to spend money to regain a competitive edge. Although ownership is cautious about committing to another long-term financial obligation, Marte’s contract may be considered a relative bargain compared to what he could earn as a free agent. The Giants are primarily focused on addressing their rotation needs, which may deprioritize their interest in Marte despite their need at second base.
Marte’s Preferences and Market Conditions
The pitcher-friendly environments of both the Giants and Pirates may have influenced Marte’s selection of these teams. While Sutter Health Park is favorable for hitters, it’s plausible that Marte prefers to avoid playing in a minor league stadium for the next couple of years as the Athletics await their new ballpark in Las Vegas. The A’s have a gap at second base and acquiring Marte would enhance a lineup that already includes several promising hitters.
Yankees and Strategic Fit
The Yankees’ inclusion on Marte’s list is intriguing, as joining a perennial contender seems appealing. Jazz Chisholm Jr. currently occupies second base for the Yankees, but with Chisholm set to become a free agent next winter, Marte could serve as a longer-term solution at the position. Speculatively, any deal could involve Chisholm heading to the Diamondbacks as a short-term solution at second or third base.
Future Trade Prospects
Despite widespread speculation, it remains uncertain whether the Diamondbacks will move a star player like Marte, who recently secured a lengthy contract extension. With Lowe now in Pittsburgh, a significant chip has been removed from the second-base trade market, potentially making other interested teams—such as the Mariners, Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Tigers—more inclined to meet Arizona’s demands for Marte this winter.
