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There was a time, not long ago, when the idea of trading Ketel Marte was as close to unthinkable as you’d get for any Arizona player. I mean, before the season he agreed to a $116.5 million extension which could keep him in Sedona Red through the end of the 2031 campaign. But then in August, we had KetelGate, with well-respected beat reporter Nick Piecoro saying that “teammates and others in the organization have quietly grumbled about his propensity to ask for days off.” But this was nothing compared to the bombshell dropped by Bob Nightengale a couple of days later.
“The worst-kept secret in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization is out: They will listen to offers on All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte this winter, knowing that while Marte is extremely talented, he can be a diva in the clubhouse, agitating his teammates and coaching staff… The D-backs won’t trade their three-time All-Star and NLCS MVP who has $92.5 million left on his contract after this season without getting fair value in return, but they’re also aware that he’ll become a 10-and-5 player early next season that gives him full no-trade rights. Certainly, the phone lines will be open.”
Damn. It’s one thing to spin up a rumor: but opening up by calling it the team’s “worst-kept secret” implies a much greater degree of confidence in the report. Immediately, every team’s fanbase immediately decided they wanted Marte. “Yankees May Target All-Star”? Sure. “Astros linked to Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte”? Why not! Or even the straight up prediction, “Diamondbacks Will Trade Ketel Marte to the Los Angeles Dodgers”. Of course – they have everyone else after all. It’s understandable, because it’s not often an All-Star in his prime, and on a generally team-friendly long-term contract, is even theoretically available on the market.
To be clear, I am not saying I want the D-backs to trade Marte, that they will trade him, or even that they should. But no player should ever be considered 100% off-limits, and the return for the D-backs from such a trade could well go a long distance to addressing areas where the team’s needs are especially pressing. In particular, the team’s severe need for starting pitching. Right now, the D-backs basically have only a three-man rotation: Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt. Even re-signing Merrill Kelly would still leave the team a man short, and that’s ignoring completely the lack of depth on the farm.
So, the question for this poll is: IF the team could get a top of the rotation starting pitcher with plenty of team control in exchange for Ketel Marte, would you pull the plug on that deal?
The above offers a simple Yes/No answer. But we have a comment section, where you can suggest the names of specific pitchers, for whom you would trade Marte. I wouldn’t be inclined to worry too much as to whether the team on the far end would carry out the trade. This is more about establishing the kind of value the team would look for in a hypothetical Marte trade. Or rather than getting someone able to pitch in the majors now, would you prefer a top prospect, who’d be ready in the post-lockout world of 2027? Perhaps there’s another position you would want a long-term resident for? Have at it in the comments…
