“This isn’t going to continue to linger” - Diamondbacks GM draws firm line on Ketel Marte trade talks

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been subject to trade speculations this offseason, given the shortage of free agent infielders on the market and his affordable contract.

Several insiders have shared that multiple MLB teams have checked in with the Diamondbacks for Marte, including the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets.

However, on Monday, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen made it clear that he is shutting down Marte trade talks this offseason.

“We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly ... this isn’t going to continue to linger," Marte said. "We need to focus our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that [a Marte trade] wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do.”

Hazen acknowledged the progress with other teams regarding Marte, but the Diamondbacks are not able to strike a deal they want. As such, he said the trade talks for him will stop soon to focus on other things.

"We're going to need to start focusing on our position-player group at some point a little more specifically," Hazen said. "That's the other reason to finalize what we're doing with other players, so we have a little more direction on what we can do and what it might look like."

Ketel Marte has an economical contract

Ketel Marte is signed to a six-year, $116.5 million contract, all guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $19,416,667. He is slated to earn $15 million and an incentive bonus of $1 million in 2026.

Marte will have a player option for the 2031 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent before the 2032 season. With such an economical contract, it's no surprise the teams want him on board, as his contract doesn't hurt the books that much.

The Mets were looking for a bat in the middle order after they traded Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo this offseason. The Diamondbacks need starting pitching in return, an area where the Mets themselves are searching. More or less is the case with other teams, leading to no Ketel Marte trade this offseason.

Edited by Krutik Jain