The Shane Baz trade may have looked like a win for the Red Sox at first glance - after all, the talented right-hander is no longer in Tampa Bay’s system, and Boston didn’t have to see him land with a division rival outside the AL East. But dig a little deeper, and the picture gets a lot more complicated - and a lot more concerning if you're rooting for Boston to land Ketel Marte.
Here’s what’s really going on: Baz, once considered one of the Rays’ top young arms, was a key piece in Tampa Bay’s prospect capital. With Arizona reportedly open to moving Marte - especially for pitching - it seemed like Baz would’ve been a natural headliner in any Rays-Diamondbacks deal. So when Tampa shipped him out, it looked like they had just taken themselves out of the Marte sweepstakes.
But that’s not the case. In fact, it might be the opposite.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Rays actually came out of the Baz trade with more trade capital than they had before. Tampa acquired a group of prospects in the deal, including right-hander Michael Forret, giving them a deeper pool of young talent to work with. Morosi put it simply: the Rays now have “more talent to deal than they did 24 hours ago.”
That’s a problem for Boston.
The Red Sox are believed to be in on Marte as well, and if this turns into a bidding war, Tampa Bay just gave themselves a fresh stack of chips. And here’s another wrinkle: the Rays and Diamondbacks already have a strong trade history.
Over the past eight years, these two front offices have pulled off five trades together. That kind of familiarity matters - it builds trust, speeds up negotiations, and can be the difference in getting a deal across the finish line.
So while the Red Sox might’ve quietly celebrated Baz leaving the division, the reality is that Tampa Bay may have just positioned themselves even closer to landing Marte - a switch-hitting, high-contact, power-speed threat who’d be a massive addition to any lineup.
Now, all of this still hinges on Arizona’s willingness to move Marte. That’s not a lock, but there are signs pointing in that direction.
One major factor: Marte’s 10-and-5 rights kick in just a week into the 2026 season. That means once he hits that milestone - 10 years of MLB service, five with the same team - he gains full no-trade protection.
If the Diamondbacks want to move him, the clock is ticking.
And there’s more. Marte still has over $100 million left on his contract, including a player option that runs through 2031. Combine that financial commitment with some past clubhouse tension - yes, there were rumblings as recently as last season - and it’s easy to see why Arizona might be motivated to make a move now, rather than risk being locked into a long-term situation that could sour.
Still, nothing’s guaranteed. There’s always the chance Arizona holds onto Marte and doubles down.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal even floated the idea that the D-backs could keep Marte and go after Alex Bregman this winter. That’s the kind of scenario that would send shivers down the spines of Red Sox fans - not only missing out on Marte, but watching two potential impact bats land in the National League with a team that’s already on the rise.
Bottom line: the Baz trade didn’t take Tampa Bay out of the Marte conversation. If anything, it might’ve given them a stronger hand to play. And for Boston, that’s a twist they didn’t need in what’s already shaping up to be a competitive offseason pursuit.