The American League East just got a little more interesting-and not because of a blockbuster free-agent signing. Instead, the next big move might be coming from the desert, where the Arizona Diamondbacks are suddenly at the center of a trade battle between two division rivals: the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
And the player drawing all this attention? Ketel Marte.
Marte isn’t just another name on the trade block. He’s been a cornerstone for Arizona-a steady presence in the lineup and a veteran leader alongside rising star Corbin Carroll.
But as the offseason heats up, so does the chatter around Marte’s future. According to MLB insider Francys Romero, both the Red Sox and Rays are actively working to strike a deal for the 30-year-old switch-hitting infielder.
Talks haven’t reached the finish line yet, but the word is clear: this isn’t just window shopping. These are real discussions with real intent.
Let’s break down what makes Marte such a hot commodity. He’s under contract through 2030, with a player option for 2031, and is slated to earn $16 million in 2026.
That’s a significant number, especially when you consider that Carroll-Arizona’s young star-is set to earn $10.6 million that same year. But for contenders like Boston and Tampa Bay, that price tag hasn’t been a deterrent.
In fact, it may be part of the appeal: cost certainty for a high-impact player in his prime.
For Boston, landing Marte would be a clear signal that the front office is serious about returning to contention. He’d bring both production and leadership to a lineup that’s looking for stability and star power.
But there’s also pressure. As noted by MLB commentator Robbie Hyde, if the Red Sox let Marte slip to a division rival-especially while the rest of the AL East is aggressively reloading-it could deal a blow to the team’s optics and fan confidence.
This is a front office that can’t afford to look passive.
Then there’s Tampa Bay. The Rays are known for their shrewd, value-driven approach, and they’ve been busy this offseason reshaping the roster.
With Shane Baz and Brandon Lowe both out of the picture, Tampa has created the kind of flexibility-both in terms of payroll and prospect capital-that makes a move for Marte feel more than plausible. When the Rays start stacking assets, it’s usually not just for show.
There’s a pattern here: clear the deck, then make a targeted move. And now, with Arizona reportedly listening for pitching prospects, Tampa might be in the best position to strike.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the Diamondbacks are indeed open to offers, particularly those involving young arms. That’s a key detail, because Tampa’s farm system is deep with pitching talent, and the recent moves suggest they’re gearing up to make a serious offer. Jeff Passan’s report on the Baz deal only adds more weight to the idea that Tampa’s positioning is deliberate, not coincidental.
So here we are: one of the most versatile infielders in the game could be on the move, and two AL East rivals are circling. For Arizona, dealing Marte would be a seismic shift-one that alters the dynamic of both their lineup and their clubhouse. For Boston and Tampa Bay, it’s a chance to swing the balance of power in a division that’s already a powder keg.
The offseason is far from over, but this storyline is one to watch closely. When the Rays and Red Sox go head-to-head off the field, the ripple effects tend to show up in October.