The New York Yankees already have Jazz Chisholm Jr. holding down second base, but when a talent like Ketel Marte suddenly becomes attainable, you at least make the phone call. That’s the position Brian Cashman and the front office could find themselves in this offseason after reports out of Arizona suggest tensions are brewing between Marte and the Diamondbacks.
According to The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, Marte’s relationship with some teammates and others inside the organization has been strained over the past two seasons. The friction reportedly centers on his occasional requests for days off—requests that have sometimes come at pivotal moments in the team’s playoff pushes.
Most recently, Marte asked for time away following a burglary at his home. He missed three games during a critical stretch before the Diamondbacks collapsed in the standings and pivoted into Trade Deadline sellers. While no one questions the seriousness of the personal matter, Piecoro’s reporting suggests that frustration over the timing still lingers in the clubhouse.
A Proven Star With a Yankees-Friendly Skill Set
On the field, there’s no debate about Marte’s value. The 31-year-old switch-hitter remains one of baseball’s most dangerous second basemen, posting a combination of average, power, and defensive range that few at his position can match. He’s a career .282 hitter with pop from both sides of the plate, a knack for driving in runs, and a postseason resume that includes clutch hits in the Diamondbacks’ 2023 World Series run.
Marte’s skill set is exactly the kind of lineup upgrade for the Yankees that could push them over the top. Even with Chisholm in place, the manager could shuffle the infield alignment or deploy Marte in a utility role early on, knowing his bat is too valuable to keep out of the lineup. His switch-hitting presence would also help balance a batting order that has leaned heavily right-handed in recent years.
Why the Yankees Can’t Look Away
The question is whether the Yankees should chase a star at a position they don’t technically need. Chisholm has been a spark since arriving, but Marte offers a higher offensive ceiling and a track record of delivering in high-pressure moments. If Arizona is genuinely open to moving him—and the reported internal discord suggests they might be—the Yankees could have an opportunity to acquire an All-Star without facing the bidding war that usually surrounds such players.
It wouldn’t come cheap. Marte is under contract through 2031 on a team-friendly deal, which means the Diamondbacks won’t give him away. However, New York’s willingness to swing big for high-impact players has never been questioned. Given the potential upside, the Yankees could justify paying the prospect price, especially if they view Marte as an immediate boost and a long-term lineup fixture.
The Yankees’ path to October runs through the bats that can change games with one swing, and Marte fits that mold. While the Diamondbacks may ultimately choose to keep him and smooth things over internally, the situation has opened a rare window. New York doesn’t have to be in the market for a second baseman to recognize a chance to add one of the league’s most complete players.
Baseball is full of missed opportunities—players who could have been difference-makers but never got the chance because a team assumed the fit wasn’t perfect. The Yankees can’t afford to make that mistake here. If Ketel Marte is truly available, fit is secondary. Talent like his doesn’t hit the market often, and when it does, championship-minded teams make sure it doesn’t pass them by.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees May Target All-Star as Diamondbacks Relationship Sours appeared first on Heavy Sports.