Red Sox Emerge as Contender to Acquire Controversial Star

The Boston Red Sox are projected to acquire Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte in a trade this winter, according to an analysis by Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut.

Johnson identified Marte as one of 10 potential trade candidates heading into the 2026-27 offseason, pairing the veteran with Boston as a buy-low option at second base.

The Red Sox finished the 2026 season with second basemen combining for a .673 OPS, a figure that ranked among the weaker marks in the majors at the position.

Marte, now on the wrong side of 30, saw his production decline last season, dropping his trade value from its peak and positioning him as an upside play for a contender seeking offensive help.

The three-time All-Star hit .249 with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs in 141 games, posting a .748 OPS that marked a clear step back from recent form. In 2024, Marte batted .292 with 36 home runs and a .932 OPS. He followed that with a .283 average, 28 homers and .893 OPS in 2025.

Despite the dip, Marte remained a productive player overall, generating 2.5 WAR while showing strong underlying metrics such as a high hard-hit rate and above-average exit velocity.

Johnson noted that the Diamondbacks appear ready to move on from Marte given his age and reduced output, creating an opportunity for clubs willing to absorb the risk.

Marte’s status as a controversial figure stems largely from repeated absences and communication breakdowns with the Diamondbacks over multiple seasons.

In August 2026, Marte failed to report for the first game of a series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, leading to his placement on the restricted list after traveling back to Arizona for a knee MRI without informing the team. He was later spotted at a casino while the Diamondbacks played, an appearance teammates described as a slap in the face and rubbing people’s noses in it.

Manager Torey Lovullo said he felt betrayed by the lack of communication, and team president Derrick Hall stated that Marte had explaining to do after the incident.

This was not an isolated event. Marte drew scrutiny in 2025 for a vacation to the Dominican Republic after the All-Star break that resulted in a restricted-list stint and a public apology, with similar unannounced absences reported in prior years.

Anonymous teammates have referred to the pattern as “typical Ketel,” and Lovullo has indicated he will no longer shield the player from accountability for such decisions.

Marte remains under contract through 2030 with roughly $87.5 million remaining and holds full no-trade protection after reaching 10-and-5 service-time rights, meaning any deal requires his approval.

A change of scenery could benefit both sides if Boston is willing to take the chance on a still-talented switch-hitter who has ranked among the game’s best second basemen in recent seasons.

Johnson’s projection frames Marte as the type of calculated risk a team with clear positional needs, such as the Red Sox, might pursue as the winter trade market develops.