Ketel Marte’s name has been in several rumors during the Winter Meetings.
The market for the Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman is “heating up,” according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
The Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and possibly the Philadelphia Phillies are all in the mix. Heyman noted that the Diamondbacks are seeking “a big package” for Marte.
Arizona is seeking young, controllable pitching if it decides to deal Marte, MassLive’s Sean McAdam and Chris Cotillo reported, adding the Red Sox and the Diamondbacks have engaged in trade talks for the infielder, though Arizona is not “intent on moving Marte.”
“The source cautioned that no deal is close and estimated that the Red Sox are, at the same time, conducting trade talks with “three or four other” teams in an effort to improve their roster,” MassLive wrote.
The Red Sox have plenty of young pitchers with control who have major league experience. By acquiring Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, Boston has more starting pitchers than spots in the rotation.
Marte would provide the Red Sox with some offensive pop as a switch-hitter while upgrading the defense in the middle infield.
If the Red Sox were to acquire him, however, they would need to decide where Marcelo Mayer fits. He could play third, but that’s assuming Bregman doesn’t re-sign in Boston.