When Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said in late December that trade talks involving Ketel Marte were coming to a close, he meant it. And by January 9, that door officially shut-at least from Arizona’s side.
Since then, even as the offseason market has shifted and rumors have kept swirling, Hazen hasn’t budged. Marte isn’t going anywhere.
“We’ve already engaged in that process,” Hazen told reporters this week, doubling down on the decision. “I said at the time that I set the deadline for a reason, to avoid this.”
And by “this,” Hazen meant the constant speculation, the lingering questions, and the potential erosion of trust-both with Marte and with other front offices. In his eyes, walking back a public stance now would damage his credibility, and that’s not a price he’s willing to pay.
Now, baseball fans know better than to take any GM’s statement as gospel-especially in January. History is littered with examples of front offices saying one thing and doing another.
Just ask Nationals fans about Juan Soto in 2022. But in this case, Hazen’s conviction feels different.
There’s a long-term investment here, both financially and culturally, that suggests the Diamondbacks aren’t just talking-they’re building.
Arizona extended Marte last April with a deal that now runs through 2031 and includes $64 million in new money. That extension replaced a previous contract that was already team-friendly, and it keeps Marte in the desert through his age-37 season. All told, the D-backs are on the hook for $102.5 million over the next six years-an absolute bargain in today’s market for a switch-hitting All-Star with defensive versatility and a track record of clutch postseason play.
If Marte had hit free agency this winter, he likely would’ve surpassed that number, even at 32 years old. That’s part of what made him such an attractive trade target for teams looking to upgrade the infield without paying top dollar in the open market.
The Red Sox, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays, Phillies, Pirates, and Giants were all linked to Marte in recent weeks. But with Arizona closing the door, those clubs will have to look elsewhere-if they haven’t already.
Some of those teams may have already moved on. The Pirates, for instance, addressed their second base need by acquiring Brandon Lowe.
The Rays brought in Gavin Lux. The Blue Jays added Kazuma Okamoto.
And both the Pirates and Giants are on Marte’s limited no-trade list anyway, which made those discussions more complicated from the start.
Still, the Red Sox and Phillies stood out as two teams that might’ve pushed hardest. Both came up short in their pursuits of Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, and both have the kind of prospect capital and pitching depth that could’ve made an offer intriguing. In Boston’s case, the recent addition of Ranger Suarez sparked speculation that the Sox might be more willing to part with young, controllable arms in a deal for Marte.
But at this point, it’s all moot. Hazen has made it clear: the time for offers has passed.
Arizona set a high asking price, and if no team was willing to meet it before the deadline, they’re not going to get a second shot now. That’s not how Hazen operates-and more importantly, that’s not how you build trust in a clubhouse.
There were whispers last summer about some internal friction involving Marte, but the Diamondbacks never looked like a team eager to move on from their star second baseman. They just won the National League pennant with Marte as a central figure-both on the field and in the dugout. And with the core of that team returning, there’s little incentive to shake things up now.
So unless something truly wild happens-like a team offering a trade package too good to refuse-expect to see Ketel Marte back in the middle of Arizona’s lineup in 2026. He’s not just staying put; he’s part of the plan.