Interest in Ketel Marte
The Red Sox, Rays, and Tigers are among various teams that have reached out to the Diamondbacks about star second baseman Ketel Marte, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today this morning. Previous reports noted that at least seven teams had expressed interest in Marte, adding these three teams to the list alongside the Phillies and Blue Jays. However, this interest does not indicate that a trade is imminent; D-backs GM Mike Hazen stated early in the offseason that moving Marte is “mostly unlikely.”
Marte’s Performance
At 32, Marte is a three-time All-Star and an MVP finalist from the previous year. He ranks as one of the top offensive infield talents in baseball, boasting a .283/.368/.519 batting line (140 wRC+) over the last three seasons with a 15.3 fWAR. This performance places him ninth in wRC+ and twelfth in fWAR among position players during that span, while his 145 wRC+ this year led all infielders. This explains why numerous teams would be interested in his services should Arizona decide to make him available, especially since he remains an above-average defender at second base, recording +10 Outs Above Average over the past three years.
Diamondbacks’ Dilemma
While it may seem surprising that the Diamondbacks would consider trading one of their key stars, the franchise must reevaluate its future after two consecutive playoff-less seasons and finishing fourth in the NL West last year despite a record payroll. Arizona has been transparent about their unsustainable spending and could benefit from freeing up the $101 million owed to Marte over the next five years, which could help in funding players like Corbin Carroll and Corbin Burnes, both of whom are already under lengthy contracts.
Pitching Needs
In addition to financial considerations, the Diamondbacks need to enhance their pitching rotation, which will miss Burnes for most, if not all, of 2026 due to Tommy John surgery. They also saw Zac Gallen enter free agency this winter and traded Merrill Kelly to the Rangers over the summer. Even with a hefty contract, Marte is likely to yield substantial pitching talent if traded, prompting Arizona to consider offers from teams with a wealth of young talent.
Evaluating Potential Trade Partners
The Red Sox, Rays, and Tigers all fit the bill for teams with young talent to offer. The Red Sox, in particular, have a surplus of controllable starting pitchers after adding Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. They could afford to trade some pitching talent to acquire a player of Marte’s caliber, especially since the team is looking to add multiple impactful hitters this offseason but may lack the financial capacity to do so through free agency.
Creative Trade Opportunities
As for the Rays, their financial flexibility is limited, leading to the decline of their option on Pete Fairbanks and rumors about a potential trade involving Brandon Lowe. Nonetheless, acquiring Marte could be feasible if they structure the deal creatively, as replacing Lowe with Marte would only minimally increase their budget.
Tigers’ Upgrade Aspirations
The Tigers are also motivated to improve, especially with Tarik Skubal‘s final year approaching. Their strong farm system, while primarily focused on positional talents, could offer enticing prospects like Troy Melton to the Diamondbacks. Despite the complexities introduced by Gleyber Torres‘ return to second base, Detroit has shown flexibility in position assignments in the past, potentially making Marte a fit for their lineup.
