After a discouraging season for the Arizona Diamondbacks and second baseman Ketel Marte, speculation has been rampant over the potential for the two to part ways. But Marte appears to have given a thumbs down to the idea of a trade to the New York Mets.
Despite high expectations entering 2025, the Diamondbacks finished 80-82 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Team owner Ken Kendrick was blunt in his assessment over the season’s final days, as Arizona lost its last five games to finish under .500 for the first time since 2022.
“I have never been more disappointed in a season than this one because our expectations were so high,” Kendrick reportedly said to John Gambadoro of local sports radio station 98.7 FM.
Reports Suggest Rift With Teammates Despite Ketel Marte’s All-Star Season
It can reasonably be argued that the Diamondbacks’ downslide had nothing to do with Marte’s on-field performance. The 32-year-old was named to the NL All-Star team for the second consecutive season and third time overall, and he finished the season with a slash line of .283/.376/.517, hitting 28 home runs with 72 RBIs.
But rumors have suggested that Marte might not be the most popular player in the Arizona clubhouse. In fact, as highlighted in a recent report by Heavy.com’s Alvin Garcia, sources near the Diamondbacks paint a picture of tension that has been quietly simmering around Marte over the last two seasons, due in large part to his knack for asking out of the lineup — sometimes, inconveniently, when Arizona’s season has hung in the balance.
The most recent example came after his house in Arizona was burglarized during the All-Star break. Marte stepped away for a few days, heading home to the Dominican Republic and missing three games in what turned out to be a make-or-break stretch. The team spiraled, the standings cratered, and suddenly the Diamondbacks were sellers instead of contenders.
No one doubted the legitimacy of Marte’s situation — it was serious — but reporting indicates that there’s still a sense among some inside the clubhouse that the timing couldn’t have been worse. And it would seem the unease hasn’t fully cleared.
Hence, the trade talk, which got a boost from this Oct. 15 post to X (formerly Twitter) by Dan Bartels of The New York Post:
“An interesting offseason name for the Mets that may gain steam is Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte. Reports are Arizona will listen to offers on his 6Y/$92.M remaining contract. Has frustrated teammates this year due to taking time off. Mets could trade Jeff McNeil to open a spot.”
Ketel Marte Appears to Shut Down Talk of Trade to New York Mets
Bartels also posted a screenshot of the message to his Instagram account, leading to a rash of comments. One of them, from an apparent Mets fan with the username jpbrownbuyi, tagged Marte and said, “Dios me esta escuchando una vez mas 🙌🙌🙌🙌,” which, loosely translated, means, “God is listening to me once again.”
But Marte appeared to shoot down such speculation, quickly responding with, “jajajaj a dormir sueño va tu 😃.” The literal translation of Marte’s comment is, “hahahaha go to sleep, sleepy you go.”
In other words: keep dreaming.
In April, Marte signed a six-year, $116.5 million extension with the Diamondbacks, which includes a $11.5 million player option for 2031. The deal also came with a five-team no-trade clause, plus, Marte will gain 10-5 rights beginning in 2026, allowing him to veto any potential trade.
Marte is widely viewed as the best offensive second baseman in MLB. Even if Arizona is entertaining the thought of shipping him elsewhere, it would undoubtedly take a considerable package coming back to the Diamondbacks.
It would also take Marte’s consent. So for all of the Mets fans … keep dreaming.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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