Ketel Marte stays in Arizona and the Diamondbacks remove his name from the trade market

PHOENIX.– The stellar Dominican second baseman Ketel Marte will continue to wear the uniform of the Arizona Diamondbacks next season, after the club decided to remove his name from trade talks, according to sources to MLB.com.

You may be interested in:Class and Ortiz’s request to play in Lidom rejected

The information, reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, comes after general manager Mike Hazen recently indicated that the team would not allow the uncertainty about Marte to drag on for long. Although the organization has not made an official announcement, the decision is already considered final within the club’s environment. Marte, 32, has established himself as one of the most complete players in Major League Baseball in recent years. In the last six seasons he has been selected to three All-Star Games, was the National League starter at second base in the two most recent Mid-Season Classics, won two Silver Bats and recorded an offensive line of “.289/.363/.510”, in addition to a “bWAR of 27.8” in that period. Regarding individual awards, he finished fourth in the National League MVP voting in 2019, third in 2024 and 22nd in the past campaign, confirming his sustained impact on the field.

A contract that favors continuity

One of the factors that made Marte attractive in the market was his contract. The Dominican has signed three extensions with Arizona, the most recent last April, which ties him to the club until 2030, with a player option for 2031. Your salary is structured as follows:

• 2026: US$15 million
• 2027: US$12 million
• 2028: US$20 million
• 2029: US$22 million
• 2030: US$22 million
• Option 2031: US$11.5 million

The agreement also includes US$46 million deferred, in addition to escalators based on MVP votes and visits to the plate. Starting in April, Marte will acquire the so-called 10-and-5 rights (10 or more years in MLB and at least five with the same team), which will allow him to veto any trade without his consent.

Impact on the “Hot Stove”

The permanence of Marte has an immediate effect on the winter market. The Diamondbacks, who were exploring the possibility of signing an elite third baseman like Alex Bregman if they managed to trade Marte, are now out of that bidding. Arizona had heard offers for the Dominican with the intention of reducing a payroll that reached US$195 million and reinforcing a pitching staff hit by injuries. Although the team signed Michael Soroka and brought back Merrill Kelly, it still needs pitching depth, although with less financial flexibility than at the beginning of the winter.

Effects on other teams

Teams like Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers, Pirates, Rays, and Phillies were linked to Marte during the Winter Meetings. With Arizona taking him off the market, several of those organizations have had to adjust their plans. Boston, for example, is now focusing its efforts on Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, while Toronto has focused its attention on outfielder Kyle Tucker. Seattle, after securing Josh Naylor and acquiring Dominican reliever José A. Ferrer, could remain quiet heading into Opening Day.