As of now, Ketel Marte remains in Arizona, but there’s no question the Diamondbacks are open to moving their All-Star second baseman if the right deal comes along. One team that keeps popping up in the rumor mill?
The Atlanta Braves. On paper, it’s an intriguing fit-Marte is a dynamic, switch-hitting infielder with postseason experience, and the Braves are always looking for ways to sharpen an already loaded roster.
But when you dig into the details, the path to a deal gets murky fast.
Let’s start with the obvious complication: Ozzie Albies. If the Braves were to seriously pursue Marte, they’d likely have to send Albies back to Arizona. And while Marte might offer a slight upgrade right now, it’s not quite that simple.
Albies is still just 28 and, despite a pair of underwhelming seasons, he showed signs of life after the All-Star break last year. He posted a .769 OPS in the second half-just a tick below his career average-which suggests he might be trending back in the right direction. Add in the fact that he’s under contract for a team-friendly $7 million in 2026, with a $7 million club option for 2027, and it’s easy to see why Atlanta wouldn’t be eager to move him.
But it’s not just Albies that would need to be part of the return. The Diamondbacks, understandably, would want young pitching in any Marte deal. And that’s where things really start to fall apart for the Braves.
Hurston Waldrep is a name that keeps coming up-and for good reason. The right-hander is one of Atlanta’s most promising young arms and could very well slot into the back end of their rotation in 2026.
After the rash of injuries that decimated their starting staff last season, the Braves are understandably hesitant to part with any of their top pitching prospects. Waldrep, in particular, feels like a player they’d rather develop than deal.
And context matters here. Chris Sale is entering the final year of his contract and turns 37 soon.
Spencer Strider, their ace, is only getting more expensive. Reynaldo López is under club control for just two more seasons.
The Braves aren’t in a position to subtract from their pitching depth-they’re looking to add to it, ideally with a top-of-the-rotation arm who can help anchor the staff for years to come.
That’s the core issue with a potential Marte-to-Atlanta deal. The Braves would be trading from two areas they can’t really afford to weaken-second base and young pitching-to acquire a player who, while talented, isn’t a clear-cut, no-doubt upgrade. It’s not that Marte wouldn’t help the Braves-he absolutely would-but the cost, both in terms of talent and roster balance, might be too steep.
And from Arizona’s side, they’re not just giving Marte away. They’re looking for real value in return-especially on the mound.
But top young pitchers rarely move, particularly in today’s game where controllable arms are treated like gold. That makes finding a trade partner tricky.
Teams that have the pitching depth to meet Arizona’s asking price are often the same ones who aren’t desperate to add a second baseman.
Could the Braves get creative and flip Albies and Waldrep for Marte, then patch the rotation through free agency or another trade? Sure, it’s possible.
But as of today, there’s no clear momentum in that direction. If Marte does get moved this offseason, the odds are better that he lands somewhere other than Atlanta.