“We’ll see how free agents behave once we start having conversations with agents,” said general manager Mike Hazen.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are exploring the trade market for veteran second baseman Ketel Marte as the front office considers reshaping its roster ahead of the Dec. 1 Collective Bargaining Agreement expiration, according to Yahoo Sports.
Marte Holds No-Trade Protection Through 2026
Marte reached 10-and-5 status in April 2026, granting him full no-trade protection that requires his explicit approval for any deal, El Balad reported. The 33-year-old infielder is owed a large sum over the remaining five years of his contract, a figure slightly higher than his initial $87.5 million pact due to unlocked plate-appearance incentive bonuses noted by MLB Trade Rumors. Though general manager Mike Hazen avoided specifics regarding trade talks, the leader voiced some regret over prioritizing MLB-ready prospects during earlier deals involving standout players like Zack Greinke or Paul Goldschmidt.
The Diamondbacks’ preference would be to clear some of Marte’s remaining salary off the books and then reinvest that money into other roster needs. When asked specifically about Marte, Hazen did nothing to dissuade speculation, stating to The Republic that the team needs to look at some ways to shake the group up a little bit after having the same core together for a long time.
Marte’s production dipped in 2026, when he posted a .748 OPS—his lowest mark since 2020—alongside a mid-season absence in August that placed him on the restricted list before an injured list stint for knee inflammation. Stories first emerged in August 2025 regarding Marte leaving the team without notice, leading to a brief placement on Arizona’s restricted list following the All-Star break before shifting to the 10-day injured list due to knee inflammation.
After returning from the injured list, he apologized to manager Torey Lovullo and his teammates. Lovullo has described Marte as someone who tends to retreat when things are difficult, noting that when something does not go well, he retreats, while adding that the time had come to let players advocate for themselves rather than always being protected.
Blue Jays Leverage Personal Connections to Pursue Marte
The Toronto Blue Jays have maintained their interest in acquiring Marte after checking in on the infielder during the previous offseason, reports indicate. The pair also played together on the Dominican Republic team at the World Baseball Classic, as Marte is married to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s cousin, giving Toronto a distinct personal connection that could influence his willingness to waive his no-trade rights. Historically, the Blue Jays have capitalized on undervalued talent carrying remaining financial obligations, securing Andrés Giménez following his 2024 offensive slump and trading for Shane Bieber early in his Tommy John rehab process.
While Arizona may still want starting pitching this winter, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon and Katie Woo said that the Diamondbacks are looking to decrease payroll and could use a left-handed bat.
Toronto’s Addison Barger, coming off a missed 2026 season due to ankle and elbow injuries, is both cheap and hits left-handed, providing an internal option that manager John Schneider cited as an overlooked reason for the club’s offensive struggles.
“I think we need to look at some ways to shake the team up a little bit,” general manager Mike Hazen told The Republic, and Hazen acknowledged that the franchise faces strict payroll limitations after setting a franchise record in 2026, stating that the team is open-minded about trades because it is not one or two players away from winning the World Series, as reported by Arizona Sports.
While Arizona prefers to clear salary to reinvest in roster needs, the impending Dec. 1 lockout creates an urgent timeline for evaluating market interest across the league. Diamondbacks officials said that eight players made their Major League Baseball debuts in 2026, including outfielders Ryan Waldschmidt and Tommy Troy, infielders Jose Fernandez and LuJames Groover, right-handed pitchers Jose Cabrera and Gerardo Carrillo, and left-handed pitchers Mitch Bratt and Kohl Drake.
