One of the biggest names that has the potential to be traded this offseason is Arizona Diamondbacks‘ second baseman Ketel Marte. As multiple insiders have reported several different teams to be in the mix, the Atlanta Braves make some sense as a landing spot. With a need for better offensive output up the middle and Ozzie Albies’ injury status, it wouldn’t be super far-fetched to believe the Braves would field calls about Albies.
However, in a potential deal with the Diamondbacks, it would cost more than just Ozzie Albies to get a deal done, and that’s where these potential trade rumors for the Braves get shut down.
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MLB Insider Reports Atlanta Doesn’t Want to Get Rid of Young Starters
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently brought to life the fact that the Atlanta Braves could be in on Ketel Marte, but that a deal is unlikely for this reason:
âAlbies could go back to the Diamondbacks in any trade for Marte, but the Braves also would need to include young pitching,â Rosenthal continued. âAfter all the injuries they incurred in their rotation last season, they do not want to part with Hurston Waldrep, who could be their No. 5 starter.”
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Rosenthal also added that Ozzie Albies’ age and resurgent second half of 2025 almost assured his spot at second base:
âThe Atlanta Braves, in theory, could pursue Marte, who would be an upgrade over their own switch-hitting second baseman, Ozzie Albies,â Rosenthal writes. âBut even though Albies is coming off two down years offensively, he is only 28. He rebounded from a .606 OPS before the All-Star Game last season to produce a .769 OPS, just shy of his career mark, after the break.”
As great as it would be to bring in a player like Ketel Marte, Ozzie Albies is playing under a $7 million team option.
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Will Ketel Marte Be Traded?
This remains a big question mark surrounding MLB’s hot stove season. Other teams that have reportedly expressed interest include the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, but no real trade talks seemed to have taken place at this moment.
As for the Braves’ part in this, it’s a good sign that they are not willing to trade some of their young core like Hurston Waldrep. Waldrep posted a 2.88 ERA over 56.1 in with Atlanta last season, and could be in line to be the team’s No. 5 starter. Especially after last season, when injuries were such a concern among the pitching staff, having a plethora of arms is desperately needed.
Albies is also a fan-favorite in Atlanta, as he’s spent all nine seasons of his MLB career with the Braves, and has been named to three All-Star teams.
Ozzie is also still just 28 years old and has already racked up 157 home runs, 235 doubles, and a career .266 average.
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