The D-backs are ending trade talks involving second baseman Ketel Marte, a decision that could have ripple effects across the offseason landscape.
Although Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said in late December that he never thought a trade was particularly likely, Marte lingered as a possibility for teams seeking infield help this offseason. That option is no longer in play.
Here’s a look at the potential implications of Marte remaining with the D-backs.
What it means for the D-backs
Marte could be staying in Phoenix for the long haul. The second baseman, who signed a $116.5 million extension with the D-backs last April that runs through 2031, will gain full no-trade rights in April as a 10-and-5 player, restricting Arizona’s ability to move him in the future if circumstances change.
Arizona fielded offers for Marte primarily because it entered the offseason with limited payroll space while needing to address a pitching staff ravaged by injuries and departures. Although the team signed Michael Soroka and brought back Merrill Kelly, it still finds itself short on pitching.
That said, there may still be room in the budget for another major addition. Most likely, that would come on the pitching side, but both The Athletic and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman are reporting that the team hasn’t closed the book on potentially signing free agent Alex Bregman.
What it means for the top free-agent infielders
The D-backs emerged as a suitor for Bregman amid their discussions about a Marte trade. In fact, up until recently, Arizona appeared to be one of the biggest threats to a Bregman reunion with the Red Sox, along with Toronto, according to reporting from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Adding another wrinkle, Marte was one of the infield options the Red Sox were considering as a fallback for Bregman. But with the D-backs no longer shopping Marte and the Blue Jays now reportedly focused more on outfielder Kyle Tucker after signing Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, the chances of Bregman returning to the Red Sox have seemingly gone up.
Boston is also talking to free agent Bo Bichette and exploring other trade options (including the Astros' Isaac Paredes), though re-signing Bregman is believed to be their priority.
What it means for other teams that were pursuing Marte
The Red Sox were far from the only team interested in trading for Marte. The Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers, Pirates, Rays and Phillies were also linked to him as trade rumors swirled during the Winter Meetings.
Toronto (Okamoto) and Pittsburgh (Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn) have gone on to add other infielders, while Philadelphia has turned its focus to Bichette.
Reuniting with Eugenio Suárez remains a possibility for the Mariners, who also have been tied to the Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan. However, after re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million deal and trading for lefty reliever José A. Ferrer, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Seattle didn’t make another big splash before Opening Day.
The same goes for the Rays, whose current payroll is similar to where it was in 2025 after they added lefty Steven Matz and outfielder Cedric Mullins while subtracting Lowe, starter Shane Baz and closer Pete Fairbanks.
The Tigers always seemed like a longshot for Marte, considering they have second baseman Gleyber Torres signed for $22.025 million this season after he accepted Detroit’s qualifying offer. The Tigers remain a potential landing spot for Bregman, though Feinsand reports that they haven’t shown any indication that they would be willing to make the type of offer they did last year (six years, $171.5 million).
What it means for other trade candidates
From a trade perspective, the biggest beneficiary of the D-backs’ decision to pull Marte off the market could be the Cardinals, with Donovan -- St. Louis’ most valuable trade chip -- perhaps generating even more interest.
Other second basemen have been circulating in the rumor mill as well, including the Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., both of whom are pending free agents. But neither Hoerner nor Chisholm is likely to be dealt unless their teams make another significant infield addition first.