The Arizona Diamondbacks are facing a tough decision this offseason: whether to move on from Ketel Marte despite his standout 2025 campaign. Marte, a cornerstone of Arizona’s lineup and a fan favorite, could be on the trade block before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
The reason? Reported internal tension in the clubhouse - the kind of behind-the-scenes friction that can sometimes push even the most productive players out the door.
Now, moving a player of Marte’s caliber isn’t as simple as finding a team that needs a second baseman. He’s under contract for five more years, which adds both value and complexity to any potential deal. And while his bat remains elite, his positional flexibility - or lack thereof - is giving some teams pause.
Take the Seattle Mariners, for example. On paper, a Marte reunion might seem like a natural fit.
After all, that’s where his MLB journey began before he was dealt to Arizona in the Mitch Haniger trade. But don’t count on a homecoming.
According to league insiders, Seattle has its eyes on the future - and that future includes top prospect Cole Young. The organization remains high on Young’s potential at second base, and they’re not eager to block his path with a veteran who’s played almost exclusively at that position the past four seasons.
Seattle’s preference? A more versatile option like Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals, who can move around the diamond and still provide value. One rival executive even described Cole Young as "the league model darling right now," noting that analytical models are especially bullish on his upside - even more so than traditional scouting reports.
The Atlanta Braves are another team that’s popped up in Marte trade rumors, and on the surface, it makes some sense. After a disappointing 2025 season that saw them miss the playoffs entirely - just a year removed from a narrow Wild Card berth - Atlanta is clearly in need of a spark. Adding a switch-hitting second baseman with Marte’s offensive profile could be just that.
But there’s a catch - several, actually.
Any deal with the Diamondbacks would likely require parting with second baseman Ozzie Albies, who could be sent back in return. That’s a significant move in itself. On top of that, the Braves would also need to include young pitching - and that’s where things start to fall apart.
Hurston Waldrep, a promising arm who could slot in as Atlanta’s No. 5 starter, is reportedly off-limits. And understandably so.
After a 2025 season riddled with rotation injuries, the Braves are in no mood to thin out their pitching depth. Chris Sale is entering the final year of his contract and turns 37 soon.
Spencer Strider’s price tag is climbing. Reynaldo López is under club control for only two more seasons.
For a team that’s looking to add a top-of-the-rotation arm, subtracting one with future upside just doesn’t make sense.
The Braves do need help in the infield - outside of Matt Olson at first base, things are murky. Austin Riley could bounce back at third, but even then, another impact bat would go a long way. Still, if the cost for Marte includes one of their better young pitchers, Atlanta’s front office seems content to walk away.
So where does that leave the Diamondbacks? With one of their most valuable players potentially on the move, but limited options for a landing spot.
The Mariners are focused on their youth movement. The Braves don’t want to part with pitching.
That opens the door for other teams - and yes, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly entered the conversation.
Whether a deal gets done before spring training remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Ketel Marte’s future in Arizona is far from certain, and the Diamondbacks are navigating a tightrope act between clubhouse chemistry, long-term planning, and maximizing trade value.