The Arizona Diamondbacks are at a crossroads with Ketel Marte - and not because of his production on the field. Despite a strong season that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic second basemen in the game, Marte’s future in Arizona is murky. According to reports, the team is considering moving him before spring training, with clubhouse chemistry being one of the underlying concerns.
But don’t expect the Atlanta Braves or Seattle Mariners to be his next destination. Both clubs have been linked to infield upgrades this offseason, but as insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported, neither appears to be a clean fit for Marte - and it has more to do with roster construction and organizational priorities than talent.
Let’s start in Seattle, where Marte’s story began before he was traded to the Diamondbacks in a deal that brought Mitch Haniger to the Mariners. A reunion might sound poetic, but it’s unlikely.
The Mariners are prioritizing flexibility in the infield, and Marte, who’s played almost exclusively at second base over the last four seasons, doesn’t quite align with that vision. Instead, they’re reportedly more interested in someone like Brendan Donovan, whose ability to move around the diamond gives Seattle the versatility they’re looking for.
There’s also the matter of Cole Young - a rising star in the Mariners’ system and a player the organization is still very high on. Young’s name is starting to carry real weight across the league, with one rival executive calling him “the league model darling,” noting that projection systems love his profile even more than traditional scouting does.
Committing second base to Marte for the long term - he’s under contract for five more years - could create a logjam that hampers Young’s path to the big leagues. Donovan, with just two years left before hitting free agency, offers a more flexible timeline.
Now, over in Atlanta, the Braves are coming off a disappointing 2025 season where they missed the playoffs entirely. After barely scraping into the Wild Card Round in 2024, there’s a clear sense that something needs to change.
On paper, Marte looks like a strong addition - a switch-hitting bat with postseason experience and infield stability. But the logistics are tricky.
Any deal for Marte would likely involve Ozzie Albies heading to Arizona, which is already a big move. But that’s not where the complications end.
The Diamondbacks would also want young pitching in return - and that’s where the Braves are drawing the line. After a season riddled with injuries in the rotation, Atlanta is understandably hesitant to move arms like Hurston Waldrep, who could step into the No. 5 starter role as soon as this season.
It’s not just Waldrep, either. The Braves are trying to protect their pitching depth with Chris Sale entering the final year of his contract at age 37, Spencer Strider getting more expensive, and Reynaldo López only under control for two more seasons. Atlanta’s front office is focused on adding a top-of-the-rotation arm, not subtracting one of the few promising arms they already have.
The Braves’ infield does need some attention beyond Matt Olson. Austin Riley’s production at third base has room to grow, and adding another impact bat could give the lineup a serious jolt.
But not at the cost of their pitching pipeline. That’s a line they don’t seem willing to cross.
So where does that leave Marte? The Red Sox have reportedly shown interest, and that might be the kind of landing spot Arizona is looking for - a team with the resources, the need, and the flexibility to make a deal work.
Marte’s value is still high, but the market is narrower than you might expect for a player of his caliber. It’s a reminder that in today’s MLB, trades aren’t just about talent - they’re about timing, roster fit, and long-term planning.
As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on Arizona. If they decide to move on from Marte, it won’t be for lack of suitors - it’ll be about finding the right one.