The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to watch the market to see how things play out. They already landed pitcher Edwin Diaz, but there are more big-name players available.
Chicago Cubs free agent Kyle Tucker appears to be atop the wish list, while Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is another player they covet. One player who isn’t getting talked about as much for the Dodgers is Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
He’s a three-time All-Star, and Arizona is considering trading him. According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, the Dodgers would be very happy to add a player like Marte, but it’s just not going to happen due to NL West rivalries.
“The Dodgers surely would love to add a player like Ketel Marte, who has been a thorn in their side,” Ardaya wrote in a recent mailbag. “But do you know the last time the Diamondbacks traded a big leaguer with the Dodgers? The Jon Garland trade in 2009. Some franchises, like, say, the Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels (who last completed a big league trade with the Dodgers for Andrew Heaney in 2014), Colorado Rockies (Juan Nicasio, 2014), etc., are less than willing to deal with a division (or regional) rival.
“Maybe, in the Rockies’ case, that could shift. After all, former Dodgers front office member Josh Byrnes is Colorado’s general manager.”
Marte Trade Could Be Resolved Soon
Marte is getting a bit older at 32, but he’s made back-to-back All-Star teams and is a strong postseason performer. If the Diamondbacks are going to trade him, they are expecting a pretty big haul.
According to Arizona Sports 98.7’s John Gambadoro, there’s no guarantee the Diamondbacks will actually trade the star second baseman.
“Nothing is imminent on the Ketel Marte trade front, but this is going to end and soon,” Gambadoro wrote on X. “I do not see this dragging out much further. It’s pretty simple- if the Dbacks get an acceptable trade offer worthy of moving a superstar player, which as of now they have not, then we will likely see a trade. And if they don’t, I would except them to shut it down and move on to other areas of concern and Marte will remain a Diamondback.”
Diamondbacks Have No Interest in Helping Dodgers
The only way the Diamondbacks would even consider trading with the Dodgers is if they feel the deal is lopsided in their favor. Los Angeles arguably has the best front office in MLB, so it’s hard to imagine they’d overpay for an older player like Marte.
The Dodgers have won the NL West in 12 of the last 13 seasons. The Diamondbacks aren’t going to contribute to that streak. It’s unfortunate, as Marte would be a great fit. He could take over second base, which would allow Tommy Edman to stay in the outfield.
Now, if the Dodgers offered Arizona a great package of young prospects, that could be an interesting play. They’d weaken the Dodgers’ future while also securing their own. The Diamondbacks aren’t close to Los Angeles right now, but they could be better in the future once the Dodgers’ core gets older.
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