Diamondbacks 'listening' to Ketel Marte offers, but trade will be expensive

If the Arizona Diamondbacks are indeed considering a trade for All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, it will likely take a high price to move the three-time All-Star out of the desert.

On Tuesday, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that the Diamondbacks were "actively listening" to offers for the 32-year-old Marte, also mentioning that the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies had "checked in" on Marte.

Marte has been the primary second baseman for the Diamondbacks since the 2022 campaign, shifting from a center field spot in 2021 to earn a pair of All-Star nods and Silver Sluggers at the position in the past two seasons while also finishing third in the National League Most Valuable Player race in 2024.

He backed up his OPS+ of 154 in 2024 with a 145 OPS+ last season, slashing .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers and 72 RBI. However, while Marte produced at the plate, there was also drama surrounding him as well after he missed three games following the All-Star break for personal reasons. Marte eventually had to address the absences and the rumors of clubhouse dissension that occurred because of his short trip to the Dominican Republic.

Marte began a six-year, $105 million deal last season that runs through the 2030 campaign, so it's unclear if that drama in 2025 is part of the reason for his move. However, indications are that the Diamondbacks are looking to cut payroll next season as well as find some answers in the rotation through a trade, making those items more likely the drivers of any trade. Marte's on-field performance would likely earn a nice return for the Diamondbacks if they can find a trade partner.

What would a Ketel Marte trade cost interested teams?

However, knowing the Diamondbacks are looking for pitching help (with MLB.com's Steve Gilbert estimating Arizona will be looking for a pair of starters this offseason), it starts to set a bar for what the Diamondbacks might be looking for in return for Marte.

This will not be a trade where only prospects will be enough. Arizona will be looking for pitchers who can make an impact immediately, especially being in the NL West with teams that are pitching-rich, including the two-time defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

While the Diamondbacks may be listening, it is going to take a lot to actually grab their attention and make any kind of deal for Marte happen. For the Phillies, could that include top pitching prospect Andrew Painter? For the Blue Jays, would they be willing to part with left-handed prospect Ricky Tiedemann, who is expected to return this season after Tommy John surgery?

Both may seem like steep asks, but it will likely take a pitcher of that caliber and more for the Diamondbacks to part ways with one of the key pieces of their lineup.