Report: Phillies Have Called Diamondbacks About Ketel Marte

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Philadelphia Phillies have called the Arizona Diamondbacks about a trade for infielder Ketel Marte. There have been varying reports throughout the offseason on the chances that the Diamondbacks will trade Marte. Morosi stated that the Diamondbacks are listening to offers. Marte is under contract through the 2030 season with a player option for 2031. The contract’s annual value varies each year, and it includes some deferred money, according to Spotrac. By the time the contract reaches the player option decision, Marte would be heading into his age-37 season. The player option covers the age-38 season.

Additionally, as Morosi noted in his report, the Phillies are not a team that Marte could veto a trade to. If Marte remains with the Diamondbacks through the 2026 season, he would be in line to receive 10-and-5 rights, which would grant him a full no-trade clause. This might be why the Diamondbacks are considering trading the face of their franchise this offseason rather than waiting until the trade deadline. Based on what Morosi and others have reported so far, the Diamondbacks would probably have to be offered an offer they cannot refuse for them actually to trade Marte.

Phillies Have Called About Trade For Star Infielder

What Marte Would Bring To The Club

This season, Marte had a .283/.376/.517 line with 28 home runs and 72 RBI in 126 games. Marte had a 145 wRC+ and a .290 BABIP with a 0.77 BB/K rate. To add, Marte led all qualified second basemen in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+ in 2025. Marte ranked second in fWAR and WPA while being third in home runs among that same group. Furthermore, since the start of the 2023 season, Marte leads all qualified second basemen in fWAR, wRC+, OBP, SLG, and OPS, as well as in home runs and RBI. Defensively, Marte had 1 DRS/1 OAA/-1 FRV at second base in 2025.

Second Base As A Potential Upgrade Spot

The Phillies could get more offensive production at second base than what they get from Bryson Stott. This season, Stott had a .257/.328/.391 line with 13 home runs and 66 RBI in 147 games. Stott had a 100 wRC+ and a .288 BABIP with a career-best 0.59 BB/K rate. In addition to that, Stott had a 0 DRS/7 OAA/1 FRV season at second base defensively. Stott is a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman. At the plate, Stott put up similar numbers to his best offensive season in 2023. With that being said, the Phillies do need to shake things up in some way.

Why They Should Not Make A Deal

Marte is a player the Phillies should avoid acquiring for a few reasons. The first reason is that the Diamondbacks’ asking price is likely to include Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, or Justin Crawford. All three of those players should be completely off limits in trade talks. Painter and Crawford will for sure play a role for the 2026 Phillies, and Miller might as well. Another reason is that Marte is heading into his age-32 season, and the Phillies need to get younger. Other positions need to be addressed before second-base changes are seriously considered.