As the Diamondbacks enter an offseason that’ll be focused on addressing the pitching staff, there’s been some speculation about them trading away a star hitter. Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Monday that the Diamondbacks could shop second baseman Ketel Marte before he gets to 10 years of service time and locks in full no-trade rights two weeks into next season. Under the CBA, any player with 10 years of service, the past five of which have come with one team, cannot be traded without their consent.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen has addressed Marte’s status from this week’s GM Meetings. Hazen downplayed the idea that the Snakes were looking to move Marte, albeit with the caveat that he wouldn’t fully shut the door on conversations. “It’s what happens. Everyone checks in on your better players,” the GM told The Burns & Gambo Show on Arizona Sports. “They’re coming after your better players. … He’s one of our best players. We have some of the top position players in all of baseball on our roster and we need those players to be good next year.”
Hazen added that he “(has) to listen to what people say.” He noted that the team’s need for multiple arms in both the rotation and bullpen requires a general open-mindedness to trade conversations. However, it doesn’t seem they’re viewing a Marte deal as the best way to accomplish that. Hazen told The MLB Network’s Jon Morosi that while the club has gotten calls on Marte and their other star players, “it’s mostly unlikely” that a trade of that magnitude would happen.
The Diamondbacks have signed Marte to three separate extensions. The most recent of those came in April and has Marte signed through the 2031 season. There’d been trade speculation following midseason reports that some of the three-time All-Star’s teammates were frustrated with his work habits. Manager Torey Lovullo seemingly has a close relationship with Marte and defended him publicly. Hazen seemed similarly disinclined to trade the second baseman when asked about the possibility in August.
“Ketel is one of, if not our best player,” Hazen told Wolf & Luke of Arizona Sports at the time. “He’s a superstar in this league. You win with superstars in this league. Yes, I do know it’s a team game and putting a team together to win baseball games is also equally important. That’s on us to figure out what the right mix of players is.
Two years ago, we went to the World Series with this player on our team. … So this mindset of where he is on our team and his inability or ability to help us win is hard for me to just take that. … Where this lays down at his feet and where it’s coming from now is a little bizarre to me. I’m not ignoring the inconsistencies with some of the things that have happened. He’s addressed those things. We’ve addressed those things with him.
We’re not blind to having an imperfect clubhouse and an imperfect roster. … I’m also in a job and position to put players on the field that can win you baseball games, because ultimately that’s what this comes down to. We are going to put the best team on the field every single day we can.”
Marte doesn’t even make that much. It’s a complete non-issue if he declines in a couple years and that contract is under water. Meanwhile he may be the most under appreciated superstar in the game. No way they’d trade him unless it’s a bloody HAUL.
Skipping games to go fishing might have sealed his fate.
Yeah, but who else wants to deal with that?
Aside from Corbin Carroll and maybe Marte they don’t have any “star hitters” to trade
I think he was just trying to use blanket statements. That was some campaign level word salad as he attempted to acknowledge a potential problem while still delicately tip toeing around Marte’s ego.
They should probably trade him. It doesn’t need to be about the clubhouse stuff. I just think they have too many holes to fill. This is probably more of a “let’s see what we have” year than a real attempt at contention. Trading him for a couple near ML pieces keeps the contention window open longer than holding on to him does.
Marte seems obviously like their best trade piece, but Geraldo Perdomo is probably the most desirable player they have that they could trade. Plenty of teams are desperate for a shortstop who can hit. They could get back a haul for him. They’re not gonna trade Corbin Carroll.
Both NY teams probably are willing to burn down the farm for him
Andrew Painter OR Aidan Miller, Bryson Stott, Aroon Escobar, and 2 more in the 10+ range from Philly’s minors.
Those statements scream of, we’re going to move him cause our clubhouse doesnt like him. But im not going to announce that publicly so I can still get a good return and not destroy that relationship if I cant find what im looking for. He’s probably more likely to be traded this off season than not. Likely, just not a guarantee.