Ketel Marte’s name has been a popular one in trade rumors this offseason. The infielder has a five-team no-trade list, and that list did not include the Boston Red Sox.
It did, however, include the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Athletics and the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
That spells good news for Boston. The Red Sox have been linked to Marte for the last few weeks. The Arizona Diamondbacks are 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 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.