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The Diamondbacks offseason has been in limbo as the team mulls the decision to trade him.
As the calendar shifts into 2026, the Arizona Diamondbacks face a dilemma. The organization has to decide what to do with its three-time All-Star second baseman, Ketel Marte. They need to fully commit to either trading him or keeping him, and live with the consequences of their decision.
Marte has been dangled about in trade talks this offseason. The Diamondbacks are looking for reinforcements for a decimated pitching staff. The club will be without its No. 1 starter and top two relievers for much of 2026, making general manager Mike Hazen’s job difficult.
Further compounding their issues is a tightening payroll. Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick hinted in September their 2026 Competitive Balance Tax payroll will be lower than the $220 million figure from 2025. Arizona is currently at $205.9 million according to Roster Resource.
Shedding Marte’s $14.6 million salary on the CBT frees up room to fit their offseason needs. Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro reported on December 26 that the Diamondbacks are seeking two pitchers, a starter and a reliever, as part of the return for Marte.
Diamondbacks’ Offseason Held by Ketel Marte Talks
The Diamondbacks have been stuck in limbo trying to find a deal for Marte. Gambadoro reported that the team hasn’t found an acceptable deal yet for the All-Star second baseman.
The Diamondbacks’ offseason so far has been marked by the signings of two rotation arms: Mike Soroka and Merrill Kelly. While they’ve completed some minor league deals, the rest of their offseason has been held up on the decision to trade Marte.
As the team tries to acquire impact pitching for the All-Star second baseman, most of the top free-agent relievers have found new teams. They gauged Pete Fairbanks market, only to watch him sign with the Miami Marlins.
That decision has a downwind effect on the rest of the market. With an affordable slugger possibly available, teams are going to line up and check his availability. It’s also affected Alex Bregman’s market, as Arizona is considered a possible destination but currently a long shot, according to Gambadoro.
However, these talks are unlikely to carry on much longer. While Gambadoro floated Spring Training on his show, that decision point is probably a lot sooner than that.
The Diamondbacks have other needs to address. The bullpen remains the club’s top priority, followed by first base and the outfield. Until the club decides Marte’s fate, they can’t move on.
Why the Diamondbacks Would Consider Moving On from Ketel Marte
Despite being on one of the most team-friendly deals, the team is listening on Marte. This is the last offseason they have to trade him without his consent, with his 10-and-5 rights kicking in on April 6.
In August, Nick Piecoro published a report for The Arizona Republic highlighting some of the frustrations of his teammates. The focus of that report was during July, in which Marte was absent following the All-Star game.
Not only did he not return with his All-Star teammates, but he went home to the Dominican Republic. He remained there after his Arizona home was burglarized, while the club played the St. Louis Cardinals.
Gambadoro described Marte as a “selfish” player. In the Burns & Gambo episode for December 26, he said that Marte would ask for random days off and would shut down if he didn’t get them. One of those games was on September 23, 2024, as the team was fighting for its playoff life. It was a game the club lost, as they missed the postseason by a tiebreaker.
With a lot of potential issues at play, the Diamondbacks have a critical decision to make over the next couple of weeks. Trade their star second baseman for whatever they can get? Or commit to keeping him and figure out the best way to keep him engaged for 140+ games over the next five seasons? Their decision will decide the direction they want to go as a franchise.
Michael McDermott Michael McDermott is a writer at Heavy Sports covering the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. Michael has 10 years experience writing about the D-backs and their farm system for AZ Snake Pit, Burn City Sports, and Diamondbacks On SI. More about Michael McDermott
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