"Won't trade INF Ketel Marte unless" - MLB insider reveals one trigger that could blow open $116,500,000 D-backs superstar trade

The Arizona Diamondbacks are aware of their needs for the upcoming season. The team requires young starting pitching and the only way to get young starters who are relatively new to the league is through creative trades.

Their most valuable trade piece, Ketel Marte, is their best shot at improving their rotation. Marte is set to enter his age-32 season, but is still signed to six years of club control, after he signed a $116.5 million contract last season.

According to Ken Rosenthal, discussing the probable trades of Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte on Foul Territory TV on Tuesday, the Diamondbacks keep Marte if they aren't satisfied with the haul, despite him getting full no-trade protection ten days after the regular season commences.

"The difference with Marte is the Diamondbacks want young pitching in return," Rosenthal said. "They aren't going to trade him, I believe, unless they get that young pitching. But he's a guy that they are seemingly motivated to move because of those 10-and-5 rights that kick in with him the 10th day of the season. "He becomes a player with 10 years of service and five consecutive with the same team, and you get full no-trade protection. You can effectively decide your fate if the team wants to move you. So there is a motivation there to trade Marte."

The Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation currently has starters - Eduardo Rodriguez, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Michael Soroka and Ryne Nelson - all aged 27 and above. Their effectiveness was put to the test last season when Corbin Burnes had to undergo Tommy John surgery after 11 starts. The D-backs' pitching ranked 23rd among all teams in both ERA (4.49) and strikeouts (1288).

New York Mets linked to Ketel Marte after Jeff McNeil trade

The New York Mets traded Jeff McNeil to the Athletics on Monday, opening up a spot at the keystone position. MLB insider Francys Romero said on the very same day on his X account that the Mets' decision could stem from the fact that Ketel Marte has been made available by the D-backs.

"With Jeff McNeil gone, the Mets are believed to be exploring Ketel Marte, or at least discussing him in trade talks, per an industry source," he wrote.

Marte having hit at .283 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs would definitely be an upgrade over McNeil who was reduced to just a .243 average with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs last season.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy