Arizona Diamondbacks superstar second baseman Ketel Marte has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason. However, more details are emerging that make the possibility of a trade unlikely, if not impossible.
Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen has repeatedly said this offseason that there would be a high price to acquire the three-time All-Star. At the winter meetings, his stance hasn’t wavered.
The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro elaborated on that stance.
“Sources with rival teams say the Diamondbacks’ asking price has been high, including asking for an established, well-regarded starting pitcher plus multiple other pieces in discussions with at least one club,” Piecoro wrote.
This seems like a reasonable price given Marte’s productivity over the last three seasons and his career in general. It appears that while the Diamondbacks are listening to offers and entertaining them, and the offers are heating up, they have no real intention of trading Marte unless they are absolutely blown away.
Marte has averaged 5.4 Wins Above Replacement per season since 2023. During the 2025 season, Marte in 126 games hit 28 home runs with a .283/.376/.517 slash line. In 2024, he was a National League MVP finalist.
The price should be high.
What “Offers” Have the Diamondbacks Received?
Various reports have connected Marte to the Rays, Tigers, Red Sox, Mariners, Pirates, Phillies and Blue Jays.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Toronto has engaged in discussions with Arizona, but it didn’t go far.
“The early conversations at the Winter Meetings suggest the Blue Jays’ involvement on Marte is more a case of being thorough,” Nicholson-Smith wrote. “Arizona appears to be seeking MLB-ready starting pitching in any trade for Marte.”
Nicholson-Smith goes on to say that the only player who fits what the Diamondbacks want is Trey Yesavage. That would obviously not be an ideal trade for a Toronto team that was one game away from winning a championship.
Other teams haven’t been all that aggressive to acquire Marte either, suggesting that Arizona’s price is too high for them to consider what would be a blockbuster deal.
How Would Arizona Fare Without Marte?
Hazen has hinted at the Diamondbacks lowering payroll this offseason. Marte is owed $102.5 million over the next six seasons, which isn’t much considering what he would earn in free agency.
In the unlikely event Marte is traded, it would obviously create a giant hole in the infield. With Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez having been traded, there is already uncertainty at first and third base.
Pavin Smith could play at first in 2026, while heralded prospect Jordan Lawlar could man the hot corner.
But who would man second base with Geraldo Perdomo already at shortstop?
The in-house option would likely be Blaze Alexander, who had a .230/.323/.383 slash line in 2025, a sharp dropoff from Marte’s elite production.
The Dbacks missed the playoffs in 2025, and while hitting wasn’t the issue, it seems unlikely that Arizona would make a move that would signal a full-on rebuild for the team.
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