Ketel Marte trade rumors have dominated the headlines for the Arizona Diamondbacks. While the team continues to listen to offers on the All-Star second baseman, their offseason has ground to a halt.
Another rumor that’s been circulating has been the Diamondbacks’ interest in free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Arizona has been linked to Bregman since December 16, when USA Today’s Bob Nightengale first reported the club’s interest. Not much has happened concerning the former Red Sox and Astros infielder since.
There hasn’t been much movement regarding either Marte or Bregman. The latest on Marte is that the New York Mets explored the possibility following a Jeff McNeil trade. The Boston Red Sox, once considered the frontrunners to land the Diamondbacks’ All-Star, have pulled out of discussions after landing Willson Contreras.
Diamondbacks Insider Adds Clarity on Ketel Marte and Alex Bregman Rumors
Marte trade talk picked up again on December 26. Dan Bickley, Arizona Sports columnist and co-host of Bickley & Marrotta, said that the Diamondbacks signing Bregman is only a matter of time. Fellow radio host and Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro later tweeted that it’s still a long shot that the signing would happen, but wouldn’t rule it out.
Gambadoro had more to say about the latest rumors on Marte on his show, Burns & Gambo.
“Nothing has changed. What I did say is the Diamondbacks do not want this to drag on much longer. Either they’re going to trade Ketel Marte or shut it down.
“If they can’t get a good enough offer, they’re not going to drag this into Spring Training. They have to move on.”
The club has yet to receive an acceptable offer for its All-Star second baseman. Gambadoro said the team needs two MLB-ready pitchers, later clarifying one starter and one reliever, coming back to justify trading Marte.
On Alex Bregman, signing with the Diamondbacks is “1000%” tied to the club trading Marte. Gambadoro noted that the club would need to get creative with their offer to afford Bregman (i.e., defer a huge chunk of the contract).
Arizona’s Competitive Balance Tax payroll currently sits at $205.9 million. With Bregman likely to cost in the ballpark of $27-30 million per year, even with deferrals, it makes keeping both him and Marte impossible. Trading Marte would free up $14.6 million in CBT payroll space, which could go toward addressing their other needs.
Diamondbacks’ Offseason Outlook if They Keep Marte
Ketel Marte is the Diamondbacks’ best trade chip to land a frontline starter and a backend reliever in the same deal. As Gambadoro noted, short of getting exactly what they want, they will hold onto Marte.
In that scenario, the Diamondbacks pull out of Bregman’s market. Jordan Lawlar then becomes the tentatively penciled-in starter at third base. One free agent the club is linked to is Kazuma Okamoto, who’s making the jump from the NPB to MLB this offseason. Okamoto is a third baseman by trade, but could be a potential first base option.
Arizona Sports beat reporter Alex Weiner dropped a list of potential reliever targets. Gambadoro added clarity in the Diamondbacks’ reliever search, tweeting, “I do expect Arizona to land a bridge closer – someone who can close games until Puk and JMart get back then fall into a set-up role.”
Based on that report and Weiner’s list, the top candidates are Seranthony Domínguez, Michael Kopech, and Hunter Harvey. Kopech and Harvey, both coming off injury-plagued 2025 seasons, might give the Diamondbacks more flexibility. Both would likely be more willing to seek one-year deals, while Domínguez might secure a multi-year deal.
The offseason is still young for the Diamondbacks, but it doesn’t start until they make their decision whether to trade or keep Ketel Marte.
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