If the trade winds are blowing in Arizona this offseason, Ketel Marte’s name is right in the thick of it. Rumors are swirling that the Diamondbacks could move their All-Star infielder, and if that happens, the front office has some big decisions to make-starting with what kind of return they’re really after.
Are they looking to reload the farm system with high-upside prospects? Or are they aiming to plug holes on the current roster with MLB-ready talent? A proposed deal from ESPN’s Paul Hembekides offers a bit of both, and it’s worth breaking down.
In this hypothetical trade, the D-backs send Marte to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Jarren Duran and pitching prospect Kyson Witherspoon. On paper, it’s a deal that balances immediate impact with long-term upside.
Let’s start with Duran. He’s a spark plug in the outfield and a doubles-and-triples machine-exactly the kind of offensive profile that plays well in the wide-open gaps at Chase Field.
Think Corbin Carroll, but with a little more pop and a little less top-end speed. Duran’s bat brings energy, and his ability to stretch singles into extra bases could be a perfect fit in Arizona’s aggressive, athletic lineup.
The reason Duran might be available? Boston’s outfield is suddenly crowded.
Roman Anthony’s breakout 2025 campaign has reshaped the depth chart, and with Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu also in the mix-both with more years of team control-Duran becomes a movable piece. That’s not a knock on his talent; it’s just the reality of roster construction.
Then there’s Witherspoon, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Some evaluators had him as the top pitcher in the class, so the fact that he slid to the middle of the first round was a surprise.
For Arizona, he’d instantly become one of the top arms in their system. He’s raw, sure, but the upside is real-mid-90s fastball, a sharp breaking ball, and a developing changeup that’s already flashing plus potential.
This isn’t just a “prospects for a star” type of deal. It’s a calculated move by both sides.
For Boston, Marte fills a more pressing need. With second base unsettled-Kristian Campbell hasn’t quite found his footing as a rookie-the Red Sox could use a steady, switch-hitting presence like Marte in the middle infield.
He’s a proven bat with positional versatility and postseason experience, and he fits the timeline of a team trying to contend now.
From Arizona’s perspective, this deal checks a lot of boxes. They’d be adding an MLB-ready outfielder who can step into the lineup right away and a high-ceiling arm who could anchor the rotation in a few years. It’s the kind of move that keeps them competitive in the short term while adding to their long-term core.
If this offer is on the table, it’s one the Diamondbacks would have to seriously consider. Marte has been a cornerstone in Arizona, but this is the type of return that could make the transition more than worth it.