Ketel Marte’s No-Trade Clause Adds Intrigue to Trade Rumors: What It Means for the Diamondbacks and Interested Teams
When the Diamondbacks locked in Ketel Marte with a seven-year extension last April, they didn’t just secure one of their most dynamic players - they also gave him a bit of say in his future. That came in the form of a five-team no-trade clause, and now, with Marte’s name swirling in trade rumors, that clause is adding a layer of complexity to any potential deal.
According to reports, the Athletics, Cardinals, Giants, Pirates, and Yankees are the five teams currently on Marte’s no-trade list - a list he can revise each offseason. That doesn’t mean a trade to one of those clubs is impossible.
Marte can always waive the clause if the situation makes sense for him. But it does mean the Diamondbacks will have to navigate carefully if any of those teams come calling.
Why These Five Teams?
There’s no clear geographic or competitive pattern here. The Yankees were the only team on the list to make the 2025 postseason, but the Giants, Pirates, and even the A’s are aiming to be in the mix in 2026. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are in full rebuild mode - and likely not serious contenders for Marte’s services right now.
What’s interesting is that two of those teams - the Pirates and Giants - have already been linked to Marte in trade talks. Pittsburgh, fresh off acquiring Brandon Lowe in a three-team deal, may have addressed its second base need.
Then again, Lowe could slot in as a DH, opening the door for Marte to still fit into the lineup. But let’s be real: Marte’s remaining contract is a hefty one, and for a team like the Pirates, who’ve had just one winning season in the last decade, that kind of financial commitment was always going to be a stretch.
The fact that Pittsburgh is on his no-trade list might reflect Marte’s own hesitations about heading to a team still trying to find its footing.
San Francisco is a slightly different story. The Giants haven’t exactly been tearing it up either - just one winning season in the last nine years - but they’ve shown a willingness to spend.
Ownership has been cautious about long-term contracts lately, but Marte’s deal might actually look like a value play in today’s market. If he were a free agent this winter, his six-year, $102.5 million deal would likely be topped with ease.
Second base is certainly a need for the Giants, though not as urgent as their rotation, which needs serious reinforcement. That could push Marte down the priority list.
There’s also the not-so-small matter of division dynamics. Arizona might be reluctant to send an All-Star to an NL West rival, and Marte’s no-trade clause gives him added leverage in that scenario.
San Francisco is also reportedly in the mix for Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, who might be a more realistic - and less complicated - option to plug the keystone gap.
Ballparks, Budgets, and the A’s Wild Card
Now, let’s talk about the A’s. Oakland - or more accurately, the soon-to-be Las Vegas A’s - is in a unique spot.
They’ve got a glaring hole at second base and a young core that includes Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, and Shea Langeliers. Adding Marte would give them a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat.
But here’s the catch: his contract would mark a serious leap in spending for a franchise that’s long been one of the league’s most budget-conscious.
And there’s another layer here. While Sutter Health Park in Sacramento (where the A’s will play temporarily) is known for being hitter-friendly, it’s still a minor league ballpark - and that might be a dealbreaker for a player of Marte’s caliber. It’s fair to wonder if that’s part of the reason he’s got the A’s on his no-trade list.
In theory, the A’s could try to balance the financials by including a player like Luis Severino in the deal to offset Marte’s salary. Arizona does need starting pitching, but Severino’s underwhelming 2025 campaign makes that a tough sell.
The Yankees Factor
Then there’s the Yankees - perhaps the most intriguing team on Marte’s list. On paper, a player like Marte feels like a perfect fit in the Bronx.
He brings positional versatility, postseason experience, and a bat that plays anywhere. But with Jazz Chisholm Jr. already manning second base and set to hit free agency next winter, the Yankees might be thinking ahead.
Marte could be a long-term solution at the position.
There’s even a scenario - purely hypothetical - where Chisholm heads to Arizona in a swap, giving the D-backs a short-term option at second or third. But for now, New York seems focused on re-signing Cody Bellinger.
If that falls through, Marte could become a high-end Plan B. The problem?
That no-trade clause looms large, and it’s unclear if Marte would be open to the move.
What’s Next?
The big question is whether Arizona is actually serious about moving Marte. He’s a cornerstone player, extended less than a year ago, and still producing at a high level.
But with Brandon Lowe now off the market, the pool of available impact second basemen just got shallower. That could increase Marte’s value - and the urgency from teams still looking to upgrade the position.
Beyond the Pirates and Giants, the Mariners, Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Tigers have all reportedly shown interest this winter. Each of those teams brings its own set of needs and financial realities, but one thing’s clear: if the Diamondbacks are listening, there’s a market for Marte.
Whether that market aligns with his no-trade list - and whether Arizona is ready to make a move - remains to be seen. But as the offseason heats up, Ketel Marte’s name is one to watch.