The Yankees have never looked like a real player for Ketel Marte, but any small chance of acquiring him presents another obstacle.
The Diamondbacks star has the Yankees among the five teams on his no-trade listalong with the Athletics, Pirates, Giants and Cardinals, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Monday.
Marte is one of the No. 1 players who could be dealt this offseason, with six years and $102.5 million remaining on his contract.
And while the 32-year-old second baseman could always waive his no-trade clause, the Yankees don’t appear to be in it for him as they try to find ways to improve their roster while keeping their payroll in check if possible.
Marte, who hit .283 with 28 home runs and an .893 OPS last season, would help the Yankees become more balanced in their lineup instead of too lefty.
But it would almost certainly mean trading Jazz Chisholm Jr., who the Yankees have received calls about as he enters the final year of his contract, for an extension that isn’t expected.
“He’s someone who I think is currently part of the solution, someone who made us better by getting him two deadlines ago, giving us athleticism,” GM Brian Cashman said of Chisholm at the winter meetings.
“He’s an All-Star second baseman, great defense, can steal bags, power, all that. He’s been a good player. But again, the aggregate of everyone – whether it’s third baseman, second baseman, first baseman, catcher, center field – they’re all lefties. We’re going to be open-minded. But again, my default is that these are all good players individually.”
