One of the biggest questions facing D-Backs brass is whether to put Ketel Marte on the trade block. Arizona listened to offers on their star second baseman last winter but seemingly didn’t come close to a deal. Marte crossed ten years of service time in early April, thereby securing full no-trade rights because he’s also spent five-plus seasons in Arizona.
Questions about Marte’s maturity resurfaced in the middle of August. The three-time All-Star didn’t show up for the start of a series at Fenway Park on August 17. That predictably frustrated a portion of the clubhouse and clearly left manager Torey Lovullo dismayed in his postgame comments. The D-Backs initially placed Marte on the restricted list, then transferred him to the 10-day injured list after sending him for imaging on his left knee. He returned to action at the end of August and played the final month of the season, seemingly without issue.
It’s not the first time that others around the team have been frustrated with Marte’s unexplained absences. Even if he were indeed injured, CEO Derrick Hall pointed out at the time that the protocol is for players to go in for treatment. The Snakes clearly tried to patch things up for the stretch run but now have a few months to evaluate whether they’d prefer to go in another direction.
Lovullo, who signed a new two-year contract this week, suggested he’ll take a different approach to his relationship with Marte moving forward. “The decisions you make are going to be on you now. I am going to eliminate protecting you the way I have,” Lovullo said when asked about how he’d approach managing Marte if he remains on the team (relayed by John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM). ” I can’t do that anymore. At a certain point, I have to allow them (players) to advocate for themselves.”
General manager Mike Hazen also addressed the Marte situation in an appearance on Arizona Sports on Friday. The GM said that the decision to retain Lovullo isn’t related to Marte’s future, saying the two “have a great relationship.” At the same time, Hazen left open the possibility of making a significant change after a third straight season without a playoff berth.
“I need to look at this team that’s been together since 2023, and is this the absolute right mix of players that we have on this roster to take that next level and go forward? I do believe there’s some level of continuity that is good for us,” Hazen added. “It’s stabilized where the floor of our team has been, but we haven’t reached any ceiling since three years ago, and that needs to change.”
The D-Backs have a few needs on the pitching staff and certainly need an upgrade at first base. Owner Ken Kendrick has already said payroll will come down. Some of that will happen organically with the Zac Gallen and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. contracts coming off the books. Trading Marte would open some spending capacity, though his $12MM salary remains a bargain for a middle infielder with his offensive ceiling.
Marte didn’t play at his typical level in 2026. He had a league average .249/.316/.432 batting line with 22 home runs across 624 plate appearances. Although he still hit for more power than the average second baseman, Marte’s average and on-base percentage were pedestrian. It’s a significant step back from the .279/.360/.498 line he posted between 2021-25.
The switch-hitting Marte turns 33 next week. He’s signed through 2031 for a total of $87.5MM. The contract, no-trade rights and the maturity issues would all complicate trade talks. At the same time, few middle infielders have the offensive upside that Marte has shown at his best — leaving the front office in a tricky spot.
“I think you win with star players in this game. But I am also — I’ve said this — I’m not blind to what the clubhouse dynamic is and what the interaction between all the players and the coaches and how that comes into winning and losing games,” Hazen said (link via Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic). That’s a similar stance to the one he took publicly 12 months ago.
The questions about Marte’s future made it up to the top of the organization. Kendrick addressed the situation in his appearance on Burns and Gambo of Arizona Sports on Friday. “It is Torey’s job to manage the players. He’s gone on record now. … Ketel, if he is a Diamondback, I hope he will be the player that he has the talent to be,” Kendrick said. ” I hope he will overcome his consistent acts of immaturity.”
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