Which 5 teams are on Ketel Marte's no-trade clause? Everything to know about player protections in elite free-agent deals

Ketel Marte's six-year, $102.5 million contract extension that he had signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks has a full no-trade clause that will kick in after the tenth day of the 2026 season. But for now, the trade protection is limited to five teams: San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Athletics and New York Yankees.

While there is no particular geographic connection between the five teams, barring the Yankees, the reason could be that other four teams can be considered as perennial non-contenders.

The Giants have only a 107-win season in 2021 to show for themselves, which, without another .500 PCT plus season in the last nine seasons, seems like a fluke. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals are in rebuild mode and the Athletics won't be a major draw until they finalize their move to Las Vegas.

As for the Yankees, the reason is known to only Marte and his agent. Although it must be noted that despite the five-team no-trade protection, in the event of a possible deal, Marte could be pursued and waive it.

The Giants and the Pirates have been linked to the three-time All-Star, although the latter could be considered to have dropped out after they brought in Brandon Lowe on Friday via a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros.

For the Giants, the keystone is a big hole that needs to be looked after. San Francisco is considered a favorite for Cardinals' Brendan Donovan, but he will be under arbitration for 2026, while Marte's contract gives the team four years of additional club control.

The Yankees, too, are on a similar, if not the same boat. Their primary second baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr., is heading into his final year of arbitration and getting Marte, who is signed to 2030, could give the team comfort.

Tampa Bay Rays considered a favorite for Ketel Marte

According to the MLB website's Alex Stumpf, the Tampa Bay Rays trading Brandon Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates makes room for Ketel Marte. He reported that the two teams have had unfruitful discussions regarding a deal in the past.

But now with the Diamondbacks looking to get maximum benefit from a bonafide player with a cheap contract, the Rays could use their deep farm system, considered No.10 on the MLB Pipeline's 2025 midseason rankings, and pull the trigger.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy