{"id":539973,"date":"2026-01-27T03:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T03:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/539973\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T03:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T03:22:18","slug":"mlb-trade-rumors-new-york-mets-potentially-eyeing-116-5-million-arizona-diamondbacks-star-to-replace-jeff-mcneil-and-improve-title-odds-mlb-news-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/539973\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB trade rumors: New York Mets potentially eyeing $116.5 million Arizona Diamondbacks star to replace Jeff McNeil and improve title odds | MLB News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MLBMetsburst cover SuperJumbo (Image via Getty) The Mets opened up a real hole in their infield when they moved Jeff McNeil, and around the league, one name keeps coming up as the possible next step: Ketel Marte. According to MLB insider Francys Romero, New York\u2019s interest in the Diamondbacks infielder ramped up almost immediately after the McNeil trade was completed.This wouldn\u2019t be a small tweak. Landing Marte would dramatically change how the Mets\u2019 infield looks and sends a clear message about their mindset. It would be a move aimed squarely at winning now, not down the road.<\/p>\n

Why the New York Mets Moved On From Jeff McNeil<\/p>\n

On December 21, 2025, the Mets dealt Jeff McNeil to the Athletics, sending $5.75 million in cash along with him and getting minor-league pitcher Yordan Rodr\u00edguez in return. The trade wiped McNeil\u2019s $15.75 million salary off the books for 2026 and also took away a club option worth the same amount for 2027.McNeil was still a reliable contributor, but his place on the roster no longer lined up with the direction the team was moving in. By making the deal, the Mets bought themselves financial breathing room and opened up more flexibility across the infield.<\/p>\n

How a Mets\u2013Diamondbacks Trade Could Look<\/p>\n

Arizona is not shopping Marte, but teams know the Diamondbacks will listen if the return fits their long-term plans. Pitching is the priority.A realistic offer from the Mets would likely include:\u2022 One top pitching prospect such as Brandon Sproat or Jonah Tong\u2022 Infielder Brett Baty as a controllable position player\u2022 Reliever Huascar Brazob\u00e1n to add immediate bullpen depth\"Mets<\/p>\n

FILE – New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil plays during a baseball game Sept. 8, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Matt Slocum, File)<\/p>\n

Ketel Marte is under contract through at least 2030. He will earn $16 million in 2026, with salaries rising to $22 million later in the deal, plus a player option for 2031. Any team acquiring him takes on the full contract.<\/p>\n

What Each Team Gets Out of It<\/p>\n

For the New York Mets, Ketel Marte brings a middle-of-the-order bat and defensive flexibility. He fits cleanly alongside Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto and can handle multiple positions if needed.For the Diamondbacks, the appeal is timing. Ketel Marte is entering his age-32 season. Moving him now could return young pitching that better lines up with their next competitive window, while also easing long-term payroll pressure.<\/p>\n

2025 Production Comparison<\/p>\n

Stat (2025)Ketel MarteJeff McNeilGames126122AVG \/ OBP \/ SLG.283 \/ .376 \/ .517.243 \/ .335 \/ .411Home Runs \/ RBI28 \/ 7212 \/ 54wRC+145111fWAR4.62.12026 Salary$16M$15.75M (traded)Ketel Marte provided more power and reached base at a higher rate. McNeil continued to make contact, but the overall impact gap was clear.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons for Each Side<\/p>\n

New York Mets positives:\u2022 Clear upgrade in the lineup\u2022 Contract certainty compared to free agency\u2022 Fits the current roster without major positional issuesMets risks:\u2022 Age-related decline over the life of the deal\u2022 High prospect cost\u2022 Long-term salary commitmentArizona Diamondbacks positives:\u2022 Young pitching depth\u2022 Payroll flexibility\u2022 Roster reset around a younger coreDiamondbacks risks:\u2022 Loss of a proven All-Star\u2022 Short-term offensive drop\u2022 Clubhouse impact<\/p>\n

Player Snapshot<\/p>\n

PlayerAge in 2026Height\/WeightMLB ExperienceContract RemainingKetel Marte326\u20190\u201d \/ 195 lbs11 seasons5 years, $91M+Jeff McNeil346\u20190\u201d \/ 195 lbs8 seasons1 year, $15.75M (moved)<\/p>\n

My two cents on this mock trade<\/p>\n

If the New York Mets complete this move, it would be a direct bet on the present. Marte gives them a stronger bat and more flexibility without entering the open market. Arizona would gain young pitching and financial room but give up one of its most reliable players.Also read: MLB trade rumors: New York Yankees could pivot towards $80 million Chicago Cubs hard-hitter after missing out on Kyle Tucker<\/a>Nothing is done yet, but the direction is clear. The Mets are looking to make a major change, and Ketel Marte sits at the center of it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Metsburst cover SuperJumbo (Image via Getty) The Mets opened up a real hole in their infield when they…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":539974,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2396],"tags":[22,5,4024,729,101,4,5800,1690,61,2548,4203],"class_list":{"0":"post-539973","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-mets","8":"tag-arizona-diamondbacks","9":"tag-baseball","10":"tag-baseball-news","11":"tag-ketel-marte","12":"tag-mets","13":"tag-mlb","14":"tag-mlb-trade-rumors","15":"tag-new-york","16":"tag-new-york-mets","17":"tag-newyork","18":"tag-newyorkmets"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/115964920466319597","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=539973"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539973\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/539974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=539973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=539973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=539973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}