Star Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte has dominated trade rumblings over the past month-plus. Despite frequently stating that he doesn't consider a trade likely, general manager Mike Hazen has been hammered by calls from opposing teams hoping to pry the All-Star slugger away from Arizona.
Marte is enough of a known commodity that we needn't run through an extensive breakdown of his résumé here, but it bears spelling out some of the basics. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has steadily produced anywhere from above-average to elite offense dating back to 2018. He's a switch-hitter who touts a massive .283/.368/.519 slash (140 wRC+) over the past three seasons. Marte is a superstar talent who's signed to a contract more commensurate with a freshly extended arbitration player. He's owed $102.5MM over the next six seasons, with the final year of that being an $11.5MM player option. He'll be paid $15MM in 2026, $12MM in 2027, $20MM in 2028 and $22MM in 2029-30.
Arizona has reportedly been seeking multiple major league-ready starting pitchers to even consider parting with Marte. Specifically, they're targeting controllable arms who can be long-term cogs in the starting staff. They reportedly talked with the Rays about a deal including both Ryan Pepiot and Shane Baz before the latter was traded to Baltimore, for instance.
Hazen has been relatively open about listening to offers and his reluctance to actually move Marte throughout the winter. He indicated last week that one way or another, he'd like to wrap up this situation soon. That was understandably viewed by many as something of a call for best and final offers.
With resolution on the situation seemingly nigh, one way or another, it feels worth running through the league to find the best fits for Marte, some viable dark-horse spots, and also lay out the clubs that don't feel like they'll be much of a factor at all. Let's run through it all.
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Can’t wait to see the haul they get for him. Rumblings about “clubhouse energy” are not enough to keep the this from happening IMO.
Not a fit for the Yankees unfortunately(no trade)
It can be waived. It’s not uncommon.
Even if he did waive it, I doubt the Yankees would make the trade as they already have Jazz locking down 2B.
I don’t think it’s unfortunate I don’t want anyone on the team who doesn’t wanna be here, dont care how good he may be.
Nothing like a Ketel simmering on a hot stove.
If they were gonna trade him, they would’ve already done it.
They’re not trading him. They don’t want to and I don’t see any of those teams offering up what they want or even needing him that much. Not a great fit anywhere for someone to be able to afford giving up multiple starting pitchers.
Nope. He will be with Arizona on Opening Day.
Mariner
I didn’t realize that Marte was originally drafted by Seattle.
I went and looked at his prospect ranking from 2015 on MLB.com, the year he debuted in MLB. It was surprising to see he was only the Mariner’s 3rd highest ranked player. His scouting grades tell why: he only had a 30 grade for Power.
Considering this guy is a Top 20 player and he’s on a very team friendly contract I get why Arizona is asking for the moon.
He also played CF for them
Oh, and another slow news period clickbait article!
We had Edward Cabrera, Freddy Peralta, and now Ketel Marte.
Who’s next?
If you aren’t into speculation about MLB Trade Rumors, then maybe this isn’t the site for you?
I’m into speculation. I’m not into clickbait that is about stuff that is not very likely to happen just to get ridiculous conversations going – essentially selling out to quanitity of posts over the quality of posts.
We’ve covered this before. I mean the word rumors is right there in the name of the site. Sure, it’s unlikely, but teams are inquiring, so there is a chance.
Now if the “rumors” were about Ohtani or Crochett being traded, then you can complain about it.
Um, rumors are about stuff that is legitimate, not stuff that they got from some random fans’ YouTube channels or where The “writers” at the Athletic or the “experts” at ESPN got from some random fans’ YouTube channels. That’s clickbait being brought in from clickbait.
Their gm said they were listening and that they have a very high asking price, clickbait nonsense would be about ohtani, Skenes or Skubal
Um, we’ve heard the Skenes and Skubal stuff too. How do you know that isn’t part of their upcoming schedule in this current slow news cycle?
The problems are also that every team listens on most of their players – including the big markets. However, these outlets choose to only focus on certain teams while propping up the pop culture teams like the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox as getting the players. And these outlets tend to avoid mentioning the logical expectations of the teams that the targeted players are on – when these “writers” darn well know what the expectations are through their sources. You think these “writers” don’t know the asking prices that the Brewers, Marlins, D-Backs, Pirates, and Tigers want? They do, but they rather leave that side of it open for dimwits to get on these boards stating some of the most ridiculous trades that make zero sense for the teams that have those targeted players. And when they don’t leave it open, they actually distort the facts, like ESPN does about all small market teams. That’s the problem I have that bothers me about this clickbait garbage.
If they are going to talk up these targets, do it about all teams, and make sure that they make it clear what they know is realistic about the possibility of it happening and the actual, expected return based on what the team’s goals are or what, like in the case of the Marlins, have already stated about what they are looking to do in 2026.
These “writers” have sources to the internal facts. This clickbait stuff is just that – clickbait that avoids giving all the facts in order to let ridicluous conversation run wild. Rumors would be them factually mentioning what their sources have leaked.
Should they run names by you first to know which rumors they’re allowed to report on here?
That may interfere with his day job of MLB stadium streaking.
I’m happy on sad for whatever youre talking about but I’m not reading all that, just keep doubling down on the ignorance bud.
Are you saying Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, Levi Weaver, etc. aren’t writers. What about Jeff Passan, Kiley McDaniel?
They don’t know what the asking price is and estimate it unless the GM or something tells them. For example, Chandler Rome goes to the Winter Meetings. Is that not legitimate.
The literal definition of a rumor is “an unofficial, interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented”
Come on, even though a Freddy Peralta trade is unlikely, it was here. Is that clickbait?
To prove it’s not, it’s on the official MLB site, scroll to the January 5th section.
Why do you resort to baiting someone that has a legitimate argument…???
Throwing out insinuations such as stadium streaking is not something that needs to be suggested…
Yeah, some Youtube channels are fan based and stupid. Both the Athletic and ESPN are some of the most legitimate baseball sources. They get it from the real team actually.
Is Florida coach the alt account or the main
@Banned
Google “Ketel Marye: and you’ll find a dozen articles about possible trade scenarios and rumors about him being discussed. it’s enough of a valid RUMOR to be in a RUMOR website. Move on if it irritates you.
No one is reading all that.
Unless the rumored cost comes down, a trade is unlikely.
Whats even better is that its click bait with a paywall behind it🤣🤣🤣
Sadly, given Boston’s recent history, would anyone really be surprised if a year or two from now, Henry decides Crochett is too expensive and they trade him to the Dodgers for a bucket of baseballs and a prospect who will never make it past AAA. Maybe we should get Crochett trade rumors started!
@banned
“Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen stated recently (late December 2025) that trade talks for Ketel Marte would likely end soon, as the team needs to focus on other offseason moves, with his gut feeling still leaning towards Marte staying; he indicated offers haven’t met their high bar, though flexibility exists, and while listening, he doesn’t expect a deal unless a blockbuster return materializes, suggesting Marte will remain with the team”.
what about that DOESN’T sound like trade rumors might be valid??
Staying a D’back
Mets probably are but Marte’s not an ideal fit with 2B blocked by Semien. Don’t know how willing or able Marte would be to playing LF.
The Angels have the payroll to cover Marte’s salary and have infield needs. Additionally, the one thing they have of note in their farm system is pitching. Reid Detmers, Jack Kochanowicz, Tyler Bremner, Jose Soriano, Ben Joyce, Ryan Johnson are all young controllable pitchers with MLB experience or are knocking on the door. Plus with the restructuring of Rendon’s contract, the Halos have even more money sign a starter for this season if they gave up a guy like Soriano. I wouldn’t sleep on them.
To be fair, I think the Angels should just sign a starter like Zac Gallen or Ranger Suarez if they have the money.
Soriano, Johnson, Joyce, and 2 more prospects should get the job done.
Some good thoughts there. Soriano plus one of Joyce or Johnson would get the job done. Look at the return for Baz who is not as established as Soriano. Soriano has electric stuff and is a number 2-3 starter for most mlb teams. Ranger Suarez’s differential between his fastball and change up scare me as it is in decline. Signing him could be an overpay. I like Gallen, but he has a lot to prove, and the QO attached to him is really not appealing.
I don’t think that’s enough to outbid other people, who are offering a MLB starter and multiple top 100 prospects or something insane like that.
Astros71
I honestly do not know where you get your ideas from in regards to the Angels. You seem to constantly under value them. Why would the Angels trade a 2/3 starter (Soriano), an up and coming SP Johnson) and flame thrower (Joyce) and throw in and additional 2 prospects on top of that?
Why would the Angels trade 5 young players for a 32 yr old 2nd Baseman when they are NOT in a win now mode. They are trying to build a team to compete.
I guess you are ight it should get the job done….if you are the D-Backs.
One trade sends Mitch Keller, Hunter Barco, and Braxton Ashcraft for Marte. Another sends multiple top 100’s and one or two talented starters and a hitter from the Mariners.
Okay, maybe it’s too much, but Soriano and Johnson won’t get the job done.
You suggested the trade, no one else. No one said Soriano and Johnson only either.
So now you are going to another extreme to defend your first extreme?
Read ddub44’s comment.
Gotcha….well I would side with your second response then. I would think another prospect.
I’ll sleep on the Angels. Those players for Marte are pretty zzzzzzzzzzz.
Red Sox make a lot of sense. DBacks would want some pitching Tolle could headline the package. Add another pitcher or 2 plus Romero and maybe even Casas.
Sandoval, Crawford, casas, Romero
And another top 10 pitcher if necessary but not tolle or Connolly.
Is this enough to get the job done?
You aren’t getting Marte without giving up a top prospect like Tolle.
Fans are so silly. Win now teams trade prospects. Thats how it goes. You dont get Marte for that package of nonsense you suggested.
Umm didn’t Devers get no top prospects back?
King of Cards how could you say the Red Sox are a better fit than the Mariners?? Obviously Seattle is the most logical fit for Marte.
Marte is a good fit for the Mariners too but I think they are a better fit for Donovan. Donovan and Romero for Montes and their comp pick.
Overpay. Romero has only 3 years left.
No how about for the switch pitcher & Farmelo & a lower guy. I think Montes could be a Yordan Alvarez clone.
-Astros71-
M’s champ window is probably 3-4yrs with this group.
All future free agents wont be extended or resigned, so pull the trigger with this group.
Montes has great power but right now, would you want Donovan and Romero to help win a ring or hope Montes turns Yordan levelish to help win XX games in 20XX season(s)?
Go back to big trades over the yrs and see who got beat trading away prospects. It happens but not very oftern
M’s have to do something cause the current lineup doesn’t really invoke fear, as it did for parts of last yr and bringing in Geno alone wont do anything but help with the strikeout numbers.
Have to make a big move, trade or sign cause the Jays are adding everywhere and others are getting better while the M’s are at grade or at a slight down grade as of now.
Free Agent 2027 season J.P. Crawford & Randy Arozarena
28 Logan Gilbert, Gabe Speier, Luis Castillo ($25mm mutual option)
29 George Kirby, Luke Raley, Matt Brash
30 Bryce Miller, Jose A. Ferrer, Eduard Bazardo, Bryan Woo, Dominic Canzone
Astros71, courious why I always see you in M’s stuff.
Arent you a Trash Can Fan or are you a closet Mariners fan, haha?
I mean, on paper Seattle is a fit, but I have some doubts about that. Even though they finished within just a few outs of winning their first ever pennant and should capitalize on their window, it still doesn’t seem like it’s Jerry Dipoto’s M.O. to trade for someone like Marte even though he’s very good/been great. Marte is 32, has been injury prone for years, and he’s under contract through his age 37 season. If he’s traded, the receiving team is most likely getting his decline phase. For the Mariners, who’ve been pushing hard to build a sustainably very good team ever since Dipoto took charge a decade ago, they don’t want to trade a big haul to get someone who might fall off hard in 2 or 3 years. They may believe that Cole Young is going to break out in his sophomore year, as he definitely showed off some promise last season and just needs more experience and consistency. Trading for Marte either blocks him, or they have to send him back as part of the return! If anything, I lean towards pivoting to STL for Donovan. Someone who can play a little bit of everywhere, gets on base, bridges the rookies along at 2B/3B, and give their veterans like Arozarena and JP some days off at SS/LF. Marte used to be versatile like that a few years ago, having played SS/CF, but it did lead to recurring injuries for him and ultimately he’s better off playing 2B exclusively.
Kelenic – Marte is a stud. He got MVP down ballot votes in ’23 and ’25. Best second baseman in the game, on a feasible contract. You’ve seen his stats and WAR over the last few years, his numbers trend up, not down. That lineup would instantly be the best in AL with him in it. It is a no-brainer in my view. Cash in some chips.
I think the only other game changer would be signing Bo but I can’t see the Mariners dishing out that kind of contract. Could you imagine what that would do to Toronto fans if we could steal Bo out from under them?
And the stupid trade suggestions that make no sense for the D-Backs begin!
I believe they began about a month ago.
You know you don’t *have* to be here, right?
“Teams with pitching and payroll….
Pirates.”
Blue Jays send Gimenez, Schneider, and Lauer,
Thats a terrible haul. More like Berrios + salary, Loperfido, Tiedman, nimmala and Bloss.
Still horrible.
@scissormetimbers
The question with Berrios is how much salary. 19M this year and if he opts in (to be read as he sucks), about 50M over the next 2.
Teideman and Bliss are both recent recovering IL cases and Bloss’s time in the majors wasn’t great.
His salary isn’t burning a hole in DBacks payroll so they can be patient and selective. If a deal is to be made, I think it starts with Yesavage.
You’ve got to be kidding be “high”…!!!
Maybe be Berrios with partial cash, Bloss, and King, and possibly Schneider, and Little… Berrios, Bloss, and King give them great pitching now and into the future, with Little , a reliever, and Schneider… No way we throw in Tiedeman, and Nimmala..Marte’s age precludes much more lifetime at any good performance level…
Well no worry, he’s not coming to the Jays.
@Floridacoach
Little is a low leverage reliever. Schneider is a weak side platoon bat/bench guy. Neither are going to move the needle.
You smoking Hella BC Bud again bro
I would absolutely love to see him on the Brewers. They badly need pop and this is one of the few halfway reasonable ways to bring in a real superstar.
Peralta for Marte + McCarthy
Who says no ?
Peralta is a free agent after ’26. Dbacks dont even take the call.
Rockies. Because why not?
If the diamondbacks were fine dealing him within the same division, the dodgers would snag him up in a heartbeat. Have him team up with Betts on the other side of second base. Man on man, would it be sweet!
Phillies.
Marte and McCarthy
for
Bohm, Painter, Obermuller, Youngerman, McCambly , and Castellanos’ contract.
Phillies then resign Ranger Suarez
Didn’t the Phoenix GM just say he’s not being traded?
No he said the whole charade will end one way or another very very soon. This will end in a trade or he’s pulling Marte fron the trading block. Imminently.
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen stated recently (late December 2025) that trade talks for Ketel Marte would likely end soon, as the team needs to focus on other offseason moves, with his gut feeling still leaning towards Marte staying; he indicated offers haven’t met their high bar, though flexibility exists, and while listening, he doesn’t expect a deal unless a blockbuster return materializes, suggesting Marte will remain with the team.
Yes, but the voracious reader needs constant content. We are fortunate that MLBTR provides it consistently.
He’s basically said put up or shut up as he wants a haul. AZ has all of the leverage because the DBacks are still competitive as is, and with a little luck on the pitching side they can be a playoff team again. They weren’t that far behind the Reds for WC3. Marte is a very good player on a very team friendly contract.
I’m kinda thinking it would be awkward now if Marte is not traded. He must think now he is not so much wanted there and he has teammates in the clubhouse who obviously have an issue with him. He will have his ’10 and 5′ rights on Opening Day and that will make him more difficult to trade. It will replenish some much needed pitching depth and save on salary which can be repurposed for a free agent like Framber.
The issue is that the owner wants to cut payroll, which were made in late September. These however undermined Hazen attempts to set the market for Marte. Other teams realized pretty quickly there is a clock to use Marte to improve while also to drop salary cap. That deadline is in April with Marte’s 10 and 5 rights giving him a full no trade clause. Hence, Hazen’s statement was an attempt to consolidate and re-frame the timing of the negotiations away in hopes to deflect the leverage against him.
Since there has been very little development on rumors, it might be assumed his bluff didn’t work. It might also be just a very slow to develop market because Marte released a list of his teams he’d veto. The three teams discussed primarily have been the Red Sox, Mariners, and Blue Jays.
What we know is that Mariners won’t trade from MLB pitchers — likely offering Cijintje. The Red Sox don’t want to trade Tolle or Early and seem to be offering Bello. And the Blue Jays would likely have to trade Yesavage, but no one expects them to entertain this.
Marte and Caroll for Montes, Cijnjte, Hancock, Arroyo, Sloan, Celestin, Stevenson and JP Crawford.
No way Carroll is traded. Your haul is horrible and try including Kade Anderson. See if the D’backs will bite that.
I included 6 of the top 10 Mariner prospects.
Dipoto would block your number.
I too, love MLB: The Show on easy mode!
Deal! Add Kade to that pile
Both Kidneys, an arm, and probably both legs is the asking price.
Could you imagine if the Jays sign Tucker, move on from Bichette and traded for Marte.
Jays: Marte
Diamondbacks: Clement
Tiedeman
Straw
Berrios
@Pylon 2
Clement is an averagish bat, good glove best used as a utility player.
Teideman is recovering from an arm injury and as such is unproven.
Straw is a 4th OF.
Berrios ended the season on the IL after pitching poorly, is owed 19M this year and ~50M the following 2 years if he opts in.
You want something good you have to give up something good. 2 bench pieces, an unproven minor leagues, and a possibly declining SP on a big contract is no where close to landing the premier 2B in baseball.
That package isn’t coming close.
A package for Marte would start with Barger
Pylon are you even being for real ?
The Mets should trade Baty and a minor league pitcher Wenninger for Marte
And Acuna
The Mets would have to give up Tong Sproat and another top 10 Mets prospect AT LEAST for Marte. Could possibly substitute David Petersen for Sproat.
The Yankees are willing to trade Jazz and Cashman for him.
If Cashman is going then Boone has to be part of it. They must be seen as a package. Buy one, get one or something.
If they pitched better might work.
I could make a strong argument for the Braves but we are pretty committed to Oz despite his regression …
What kind of trade appeal does Barger with the Jays have? From what I saw of him last year I would love to have a guy like
Barger for Dominguez?
I like Dominguez but I feel from a Yankees prospective that is what Barger would cost…..2 young cost controlled players with potential that don’t exactly fit with their current squad right now.
But if the Yanks were after Marte (I don’t think they are) I’d assume it would take Dominguez plus another piece or two. Would it be the same if Barger was the centerpiece for Marte? Am I reading the room right?
I think Willi Castro is the best fit for the Mariners.
Year in year out he has been one of their best players. Probably dropped to third best after Perdomo’s huge year in 2025, but best or 2nd best many other years.