The big question of the D-Backs offseason has been whether to trade Ketel Marte. They’ve reportedly fielded calls from upwards of a third of the league with teams like the Mariners, Red Sox and Reds most prominently linked. Although general manager Mike Hazen called a trade of a star hitter “mostly unlikely” at the GM Meetings in early November, they’ve kept the line of communication open given their needs around the roster.
According to Hazen, they’re not going to maintain that posture for the entire offseason. “We’re very likely to put an end to (Marte trade talks) shortly,” the GM told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. When pressed for specifics on the timeline, Hazen said that he “(hasn’t) figured that out yet” but said they can’t afford to remain in a holding pattern for much longer. He implied they were likelier to take Marte firmly off the table rather than nearing agreement on a deal.
“We need to focus our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that (a trade) wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do,” Hazen said. The GM added that talks to date haven’t gotten “anywhere near” the significant asking price they’ve set to move their star second baseman.
On one hand, it’s easy enough to write this off as a general manager trying to pressure interested clubs to raise their offers. Even if Hazen isn’t setting a public deadline, the Snakes could do so internally to get teams to make their best and final trade proposals. At the same time, this generally aligns with the GM’s stance on Marte trade rumors dating back to the summer. Speculation has abounded since August when multiple reports emerged about some of Marte’s teammates being frustrated with the number of off days that he took.
Hazen spoke with Wolf & Luke of Arizona Sports at the time and was naturally asked about the possibility of a trade. “Ketel is one of, if not our best player,” the GM said then. “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.
We went to the World Series with this player on our team (in 2023). … 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.”
The D-Backs have nevertheless heard teams out as the clearest way to acquire controllable starting pitching. They’re expected to scale back payroll from this past season’s franchise-record $195MM mark. RosterResource currently projects them for $168MM in spending. Marte is set for a $15MM salary next season, but $6MM of that is deferred until 2036. They’re not under any financial pressure to move him, nor are they entering even a soft rebuild. The goal in trade talks would be to acquire multiple MLB or near-ready pieces who could deepen the overall roster.
Despite the payroll limitations, Arizona has addressed the rotation with a pair of free agent pickups. They brought back Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40MM deal and added swingman Michael Soroka for a $7.5MM guarantee. They could certainly still upgrade a rotation comprising Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt and Soroka. It’s not as pressing a need as it was two months ago, however.
The bigger focus now should be the bullpen, which was decimated by injuries last summer and is still without top two arms Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk. The Snakes also need to decide whether they’re content with Jordan Lawlar as an everyday player (either at third base or in the outfield) and could upgrade in center field or at first base. The Marte trade rumors have come alongside reporting that the Snakes could make a surprise run at Alex Bregman.
“We’re going to need to start focusing on our position player group at some point a little more specifically,” Hazen noted to Gilbert. “That’s the other reason to finalize what we’re doing with other players, so we have a little more direction on what we can do and what it might look like.” Readers are encouraged to check out the MLB.com column for the full scope of Hazen’s comments.
Hazen at least talks turkey to the fans, instead of indulging himself in evasive circumlocutions like most GMs. And he doesn’t seem annoyed that people are interested in what he does.
If I were running a team, especially one coming off a very disappointing season, I wouldn’t trade a star like Marte.
Yoshida and Duran for Marte
Marte is better than Duran. Tossing in Yoshida’s contract for one of the best players in baseball is silly.
No, they should trade him to my team for all of their spare parts!
Redsox for life,
Ha!
Yoshida, Duran, and Early.
“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.”
Seems more like talking Turkish. Whatever language this is requires a translator.
They have so far.
Big GM talk – he is looking for a ridiculous package that he will not get
As they should
Ridiculous= POBO of seller bored with whatever team you are a fan of lowball offers and effort to block starting pitchers that would hurt to give up.
Free agents are making a lot. The trade route is not a loophole/flea market to get good or great players for chump change.
I don’t know how trading him makes them better.
Really depends on the haul and the perspective. You can be worse short term and better long term, esp. with TB that has a top-20 farm better than many teams’ top-10.
“…it’s easy enough to write this off as a general manager trying to pressure interested clubs to raise their offers.
That is exactly what this is all about. No one wants the contract (with deferred $ until 2036) or the baggage Marte brings.
Keep what the Red Sox would have to give up to get him and give the 2B job to M. Mayer.
I’d rather see him stay in Arizona than go to any team other than Seattle.
That said, I really hope Seattle can find a way to land him.
Seattle has the prospects to land him easily. It’s just a question of if they want to pull the trigger or not. I would because with a team like Seattle prospects are not going to find the field, especially as many as they have, unless you have a LOT of injuries. It is much better to use them as currency to get specific needs. Will you occasionally trade away a future star? Yes, you will. Will you regret it? Totally depends on if you win a World Series. Would you do it again> Absolutely. The goal of every MLB team is to win the World Series, not to have the biggest collection of prospects.
@hlflew
Absolutely. One other thing: If winning a World Series is the goal, Marte has a proven record of showing up when it counts. In 21 playoff games, he is .344/.385/.589 with a post-season record 20-game hitting streak. He is precisely the kind of player Seattle needs.
It may take players from the active roster as well as prospects, but that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, either.
Seattle can easily attract pitching. Players like Marte don’t grow on trees, so yeah, I agree with you.
And he would fit so perfectly. Seattle arguably needs a leadoff hitter. They need to replace the power they lost with Polanco’s departure. They need better defense (the team ranked 26th overall via FanGraphs; 28th in OAA). and they always need more disciplined hitters.
He checks all the boxes.
“Player’s like Marte don’t grow on trees….”
Yeah, Marte was grown in SEA…. and then traded away too early…
Very true. Seattle has 6 guys that belong on a big league rotation. Sending one of them to Arizona will hurt if someone gets injured, but solves the problem of too many starters otherwise. Obviously Woo would not be available, and probably not Kirby or Gilbert either. But sending out Hancock or Castillo or Miller along with a prospect or two would allow Seattle to keep most of the top of their farm.
Come on, Rays. You’ve traded the few guys besides Caminero that could’ve helped the team. Let’s trade Rasmussen and McClanahan and Pepiot for an aging Marte, and then replace the pitchers with Alex Cobb, Nestor Cortes, and Martin Perez. All will be well cause brainwashed fans will be happy when Rays stumble into a first round exit in the playoffs, and ownership won’t have to pay anything to players that can contribute. Nevermind the lifelong Rays fans like me who want this team to win a ring. You can also trade Marte for minor league no names if he does actually put up good numbers.
Could be talk, could be real. Regardless, the question is more do they see if as part of their future long term plans? Per cot’s, his 10-5 rights kick in at the beginning of the season so any trade goes through Marte. It would making trading him a little more difficult.
At this point he has to be traded I would think.
To Toronto for Barrios (and other pieces).
@BetterMuppet:JUDGEorKERMIT?
If those other pieces included Yesavage and Teideman/Nimmala, then ya, it could happen.
🙄😞
When you factor in Marte’s contract he is probably wanting something from Boston like Duran or Abreu and Early or Tolle. With Seattle he probably wants one of their controllable young pitchers on the major league roster. This explains why Seattle came out and said they won’t trade anyone from that.
Boston seems more willing to deal bello than early or Tolle
So a trade is unlikely and should be occurring soon if at all, that was not terribly helpful. I assume they are waiting for this weekend to see what happens.
Briceno, Hamm and Olsen for Marte who plays 3B or OF for the Tigers.
To me, Marte is more valuable to another team. Decent contract, elite 2B but once he hits 10 and 5 rights will he still be motivated? That no trade clause increases the risk on his contract.
“We’re not blind to having an imperfect clubhouse”
GM speak for “yeah I know our players don’t get along but that’s work”
Once you publicly put your star player on the trading block, it’s not always easy to bounce back to “we love him and can’t wait to have him retire with our team”
Thats a good take..I get they can fill multiple needs but a star on a very team friendly deal shouldn’t be in these rumors…see jose Ramirez as a comp..you rarely hear about him too long before Cleveland slams the door..this not happening with marte says alot
Travis Bazzana for Marte straight up!
Lowder petty and collier for Marte. Hits second in front of Elly and starts LF
Rather Grey Goose than Ketel
Translation: “no one is offering us close to what we want in return”
Logan Gilbert for Ketel Marte.
Might have to balance it out but this trade makes sense for both.
It’ll never happen though. Both GM’s would be scared to “lose” the trade down the line.
He’s 10/ in early April 2026. If they are putting him on the table now and being so open about their inner thinks then I’m willing to be he’ll be gone by March 2026.
The Dbacks are ruining baseball.