Diamondbacks believe if they punish Ketel Marte, Arizona would 'lose' him

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a problem on their hands with Ketel Marte. He didn't show up to their game against the Boston Red Sox despite flying out with the team, and there was a lot of uncertainty about his immediate future with the team.

He was placed on the restricted list by the Diamondbacks and was reportedly dealing with an injury as well. But he did leave the team on his own amid a postseason hunt. It's not a good look for Marte. And yet, the D-Backs aren't punishing Marte.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale explained why the D-Backs didn't punish Marte for leaving the team, as the club believes that if he were to be punished, they would "lose" Marte.

Diamondbacks believe they'd 'lose' Ketel Marte if he were punished

"The Diamondbacks believe that if they retaliate against Marte, or discipline him beyond brief stints on the restricted list when he went AWOL each of the past two years, they will lose him," Nightingale writes.

Marte is an All-Star second baseman who's a very good player, though the baggage he's carrying with these off-field antics might sour him for some fans.

One way the Diamondbacks could try to stop this from happening is if they were to discipline him for leaving the team, as he did against the Red Sox recently.

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However, instead of punishing him, the Diamondbacks chose to "coddle and indulge him," out of fear he'll leave the team, according to Nightengale.

This is a lose-lose situation for the Diamondbacks, as if they punish Marte, they believe he won't stick with the team. But if they don't punish him, like they're doing now, it sets a bad precedent for the other players on the team,

Arizona can't even trade him without his permission, as he has 10-5 rights, meaning any trade would have to be accepted by Marte. If he doesn't like a trade, he won't accept it.

While he's slated to return to action for the D-Backs against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, August 31, there is some serious doubt about his long-term fit with the team.

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