The Ketel Marte trade chatter just won’t quit-and now it’s back with a little more fuel. MLB Network’s Jim Bowden recently told Foul Territory that he still expects a Marte deal to happen at some point. That’s a bold statement considering how quiet things have been around the Diamondbacks’ star this offseason, but it’s clear the league hasn’t stopped watching.
According to Bowden, teams like the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, and Phillies are all potential landing spots. Each of those clubs could use a versatile, switch-hitting infielder like Marte, who brings a high-contact bat, positional flexibility, and a competitive edge that fits into just about any clubhouse. The question now is: are we dealing with real traction here, or just more smoke?
Let’s be honest-at this stage of the offseason, deals like this don’t come cheap. Marte is under contract, still productive, and a vital piece of Arizona’s core.
He’s not a rental. So if a team wants to pry him away, it’s going to take more than just a few mid-tier prospects.
We’re likely talking about a package that includes at least one MLB-ready contributor and some high-upside minor league talent. That’s a steep price, but for a player of Marte’s caliber-especially one who can play second, short, and even center field in a pinch-it might be worth it for a contender looking to push over the top.
Meanwhile, while the Marte rumors swirl, Gabriel Moreno is quietly building his own buzz-and this time, it’s not trade-related. MLB just dropped its latest Top 10 Catchers rankings, and Moreno earned a spot on the list.
That’s no small feat, especially considering the injuries that limited his playing time in 2025. But when he was on the field, he made it count.
Moreno’s bat took a major step forward last season. He showed more power, better plate discipline, and continued to flash the elite defensive tools that made him one of baseball’s top catching prospects just a couple of years ago. His framing, game-calling, and arm strength are already above average, and if he can stay healthy, he’s the kind of player who raises the floor of a roster in a big way.
For the D-backs, Moreno’s growth is a massive storyline heading into 2026. A full, healthy season from him could be a game-changer-not just behind the plate, but in terms of lineup depth and leadership. He’s still just scratching the surface of what he can be, and if he puts it all together, Arizona might not just have a breakout catcher-they might have one of the best all-around backstops in the game.
So while the Marte trade rumors continue to bubble, don’t sleep on what’s brewing behind the dish in the desert. The D-backs have some big decisions ahead, but they also have some big-time talent already in the building.