© Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
PHOENIX – When the rumor mill started churning around Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks fans held their breath. Although Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen eased that suspense as he explained the situation.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Hazen during spring training practice at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on Feb. 13, 2025. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
D-Backs GM Mike Hazen balanced business realism with emotional reassurance. It’s a rare tone in modern baseball, where stars are more than assets. For fans, that honesty matters. Marte who is fresh off a great season that had some unfortunate off the field issues, has become more than just a star player. Marte is the emotional anchor of the clubhouse, the player who bridges the 2023 World Series run with the team’s next phase.
Sep 1, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second base Ketel Marte (4) at bat in the first inning during the game between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Mike Hazen mentioned on Ketel Marte and the D-Backs’ future:
“Unfortunately, no matter what I end up wanting to do at the end of the day… I have to listen. I have to listen to what people say. Part of that is not just shutting everything down at the door. There’s times where I shut everything down at the door, but there’s other times where I can’t, I’m not in a position to do that.” (Credit: Alex D’Agostino | D-Backs on SI)
“Everyone checks in on… your better players. They’re coming after your better players. … Look, he is one of our best players. We have some of the top position players in all of baseball on our roster. And we need those players to be good next year. I have to still do my job. I think the way our team is constructed right now, I have to be open-minded and listen to what possibilities could be out there to put the team in a better spot for us.”
Sep 28, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Data reinforces the logic behind Hazen’s calm. Marte ranked eighth in OPS in OPS with .893 along with a .283 batting average with 23 home runs. Players like that don’t get shipped out lightly, though fielding the calls is necessary. Strategically, Hazen’s comments signal stability, a message both the roster and the fan base need after years of rebuilds and roster churn.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
