Why this hypothetical Yankees trade for Ketel Marte is laughable

Ahead of the upcoming MLB winter meetings in Orlando, there are plenty of trade rumors, possibilities and hypothetical proposals lurking out there. One of them involving the New York Yankees acquiring Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star infielder Ketel Marte, however, has almost no chance of becoming a reality.

In a recent article for The Athletic, among the 10 trades that MLB insider Jim Bowden would like to see is a deal that sends Marte to the Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodríguez and second baseman Roderick Arias. Both are on New York’s top 30 prospects list via MLB.com, with Rodriguez rated as the third-best in the Yankees system and Arias coming in at 20^th.

However, grabbing the 32-year-old Marte from Arizona with this deal simply isn’t going to happen for the Yankees.

As a reminder, there is no guarantee that Marte will be moved this offseason. If he is, the price is going to be high for any team that wants to add him to the lineup. These two Yankees prospects might be the start of a deal, but certainly won’t be the whole package.

A look at the proposed Yankees side of the trade

With Rodriguez, while there is plenty of like about the potential, he has made just one start above Double-A, posting a 7.20 ERA in that lone Triple-A start. MLB.com says of Rodriguez that, "he'll reach his mid-rotation starter ceiling if he develops average control."

Being the third-ranked prospect, the 22-year-old Rodriguez is considered the lead of the trade return. However, there are a lot of "ifs" that come along with him, and would Arizona be willing to deal a regular producer in the lineup signed through 2030 for that? It’s also very likely that he would need more time in the minor leagues before getting his shot in Arizona, and the Diamondbacks are a team that needs pitching now.

Don't forget that Marte is coming off a season where the veteran posted an OPS+ of 145 (league average is considered 100). It's his second season with that number or higher, and his 4.4 bWAR was the third-highest for Arizona last season.

If Arizona were to give Marte up, it would need a player in return who can provide an immediate impact.

Add in Arias, an infielder with an 88 wRC+ in Class-A last year and 25 errors (including 22 at shortstop), and the return feels very light. Arias will also likely need a considerable amount of time in the minors before he can possibly contribute in Arizona.

Bowden says that the deal would give Arizona “two top prospects” as well as open up a place in the lineup for former first-round pick Jordan Lawlar, who has just 97 career at-bats under his belt with the Diamondbacks. Those two perceived pluses for the Diamondbacks (no matter how you view the definition of "top prospects") almost assuredly are not enough to entice the Diamondbacks to make a Marte deal.