Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte shares ambiguous Instagram story as trade talks slow

Marte, who has been with the Diamondbacks since 2017, has been the subject of trade rumors dating back well before the 2025 trade deadline. However, his post appeared to reference more than just his uncertain future.

Earlier this summer, AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro reported that the organization was unhappy with Marte’s demeanor and level of engagement following the All-Star break. The report raised internal concerns about leadership and accountability, while also dividing fans on whether Marte was right or wrong. At the time, his home had been broken into and he did not request time off to address the situation, a factor many supporters cited in his defense.

The report also indicated that some teammates were frustrated with the All-Star, with sentiments dating back to the 2024 season.

“In recent years, some Diamondbacks players have taken to adding a phrase to comments they make when asked about Marte,” Piecoro writes. “He is a great player, they say, when he wants to be. They are giving credit while also airing a grievance.”

Marte’s Instagram story showed a photo of himself celebrating a play alongside teammate Corbin Carroll, with the caption reading, “Not good [teammate].”

Whether the post was a direct response to Piecoro’s reporting or to online criticism labeling him a bad teammate remains unclear. However, for a player who is typically quiet and rarely engages with online discourse, the post suggests that Marte is paying attention.

Several teammates have spoken highly of him, including Geraldo Perdomo and manager Torey Lovullo, both of whom have insisted that Marte is a positive presence in the clubhouse and have worked to remove misconceptions.

Marte has long worn his heart on his sleeve. With weeks of uncertainty surrounding where he may play in 2026, the post is a reminder that he is not just a name in trade rumors or an object of character speculation, but a human too.