Diamondbacks Won’t Trade Ketel Marte, Report Says

This blog post takes a closer look at why the Arizona Diamondbacks chose to keep Ketel Marte. He’s easily one of the most productive second basemen in baseball, and there was plenty of trade buzz and obvious roster needs. Still, the team decided to hold on. We’ll get into the financial, performance, and strategic reasons behind the call, and what Marte sticking around means for the Diamondbacks’ offseason plans and the wider MLB market.

Diamondbacks Commit to Ketel Marte for 2026

Months of rumors swirled, but the Arizona Diamondbacks kept Ketel Marte and will start 2026 with him locked in at second base. Veteran MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that GM Mike Hazen listened to offers early in the offseason, but nothing came close to the team’s asking price.

Elite middle infielders on affordable contracts almost never hit the market these days. Arizona did its homework, but the front office saw that trading Marte would just open up more problems than it solved.

Why the Trade Never Materialized

The Diamondbacks had reasons to consider moving Marte. The roster has some gaps, especially on the mound, and payroll looks tighter than before.

Still, no rival club made a pitch worth losing one of their cornerstones. Timing mattered too. Marte’s close to earning ten-and-five rights, which would give him full no-trade protection. Once that happens, Arizona loses nearly all leverage.

Marte’s Production Makes Him Nearly Untouchable

Performance-wise, it’s obvious why Arizona held back. Over the last three seasons, Marte’s quietly been one of baseball’s most steady offensive forces.

Just look at the numbers:

That blend of power, discipline, and value at second base puts Marte among the elite. Players like this are rare—and expensive when they do move.

A Contract That’s a Bargain in Today’s Market

Honestly, Marte’s contract is probably the biggest reason Arizona didn’t budge. He’s owed $102.5 million over six seasons, or about $17 million per year. In a league where stars now get $30–$50 million a season, that’s a steal.

Even teams with deep pockets couldn’t match the value Arizona gets by keeping him around.

Heavy Trade Interest Across MLB

Teams all over the league checked in on Marte. Reportedly, these clubs made calls this winter:

They’ll have to look elsewhere now, whether that’s free agency or the trade market. Marte’s officially off the board, and that shakes things up.

Ripple Effects on the Free-Agent Market

Marte staying put also shifts the market for guys like Alex Bregman. The Diamondbacks could still poke around, but with Marte back, a huge infield move feels less likely.

That might push Bregman’s market closer to teams like Boston. Interesting to see how it unfolds, honestly.

What’s Next for the Diamondbacks?

With Marte locked in, Arizona will probably shift its focus elsewhere. The front office seems more likely to chase help in:

All signs suggest a conservative approach. RosterResource projects the Diamondbacks to run with about a $20 million reduction in payroll compared to last season.

For now, keeping Ketel Marte gives the team stability and star power. The Diamondbacks weren’t willing to sacrifice those unless the return blew them away.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Diamondbacks Will Reportedly Not Trade Ketel Marte