Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been one of the biggest storylines this winter as his future in MLB remains uncertain.
The 32-year-old veteran continues to rank among the league’s best hitters, and he proved it again last season.
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Across 126 games, Marte posted a .283 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, .893 OPS, 28 home runs and 72 RBIs. His production earned him both an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award for the second straight year.
Despite his success, the Diamondbacks have explored trading Marte this offseason to clear payroll and potentially add pitching help. There has also been speculation about reshaping the infield with a different bat.
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte (4) © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one scenario involves Arizona keeping Marte while signing free-agent third basemanAlex Bregman.
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“A scenario exists in which the Arizona Diamondbacks would both sign free agent third baseman Alex Bregman and keep second baseman Ketel Marte. Those two, combined with right fielder Corbin Carroll and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, would give the D-backs four of the top position players in the game,” Rosenthal wrote.
He added, however, that while owner Ken Kendrick has shown a willingness to expand payroll when the team is close to contention, trading Marte may ultimately be the more realistic way to address pitching needs.
This offseason represents Arizona’s last chance to move Marte before he gains full no-trade protection. On the 10th day of the 2026 season, Marte will reach 10 years of MLB service time, with five consecutive seasons on the same team.
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At that point, he earns 10-and-5 rights, which give him the ability to veto any trade. In other words, if the Diamondbacks do not move him now, they may lose the flexibility to do so later.
Amid the speculation, Marte took to social media on Tuesday to repost a graphic of himself alongside outfielder Corbin Carroll. “Not Good teamate😀😀,” the caption read.
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte’s Instagram Story on Dec. 30, 2025@ketel_marte4 on Instagram
The message appeared to be a jab at a report from Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic earlier in the year, which claimed teammates had grown frustrated with Marte and questioned his status as a good teammate. Marte has since apologized for that characterization.
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The decision surrounding Marte will play a pivotal role in shaping Arizona’s 2026 outlook, and it is expected to come shortly. “We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly,” general manager Mike Hazen said on Tuesday (h/t Steve Gilbert of MLB.com).
Whether the front office opts to trade him for pitching, pair him with a star like Bregman or keep him in the infield mix, the outcome will define the balance between immediate contention and long-term roster stability.
Related: Blue Jays Named in Ketel Marte Trade Report Amid Bo Bichette’s MLB Free Agency
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.