PHOENIX, January 9, 2026 – Ketel Marte will remain a cornerstone of the Arizona Diamondbacks, despite widespread trade speculation throughout the offseason. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the team has decided against dealing the All-Star second baseman, meaning he’ll open the 2026 season anchoring the infield in the desert.
Marte stays Put: Why the Diamondbacks Didn’t Trade Their Star
Arizona opted to retain Marte, despite potential opportunities to address pitching needs and financial flexibility.
- General manager Mike Hazen indicated early in the offseason that he would listen to offers for Marte, but ultimately deemed a trade unlikely.
- Marte’s combination of offensive production and team-friendly contract made him a highly sought-after commodity.
- Arizona’s looming no-trade protection for Marte, coupled with a lack of acceptable offers, contributed to the decision.
Ketel Marte has been a consistent offensive force, boasting a .368 on-base percentage, and .519 slugging percentage combine for a robust 140 wRC+, ranking among the top ten hitters in baseball during that span.He also demonstrates a keen eye at the plate, with a 11.2% walk rate,and keeps strikeouts at bay with a 16.7% rate.
Adding to his value, Marte’s contract is relatively affordable, at just over $17 million per year. However, the Diamondbacks also faced a ticking clock. Marte is nearing “ten-and-five” status – ten years of major league service time and five years with the same club – which would grant him full no-trade protection.Currently, he can block trades to only five teams. With just ten days remaining before reaching that milestone, the window to trade him was rapidly closing.
Arizona’s needs also played a role in the trade discussions. The team is seeking to bolster its pitching staff and reportedly operates with a constrained budget, according to reports from August 2025. Moreover, reports surfaced during the 2025 season of some teammates expressing frustration with Marte’s occasional absences from the lineup.These factors created a scenario where trading marte for pitching and freeing up financial resources seemed plausible, perhaps opening the door for a pursuit of free agent infielder Alex Bregman.
Despite the potential benefits of a trade, Hazen consistently downplayed the likelihood of moving Marte, emphasizing his importance to the team’s competitive aspirations. He stated a little over a week ago that the club would eventually need to “shut the door” on trade talks to focus on building the 2026 roster.Ultimately, it appears no team presented an offer that Arizona deemed acceptable.
Ripple Effects Across the League
The decision to retain Marte will undoubtedly impact other teams. Several clubs, including the Pirates, Giants, Mariners, Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Tigers, reportedly expressed interest in acquiring him. Those teams will now need to explore choice options, with free agents like alex Bregman and Bo Bichette emerging as potential targets. Brendan Donovan,currently with the Cardinals,could also attract increased attention.
Arizona’s decision also casts doubt on their pursuit of Bregman, as their interest appeared contingent on a Marte trade. While a Bregman deal isn’t entirely off the table, it’s now considered less probable. This could benefit teams like the Red Sox,who were also linked to marte,potentially prompting them to intensify their efforts to land Bregman.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks still have areas to address, particularly in pitching, the outfield, and at first base. With marte remaining in the fold, thay are likely to focus on adding players through free agency. RosterResource currently projects their payroll to be approximately $20 million below their 2025 total,though the extent of their spending flexibility remains unclear.
