Diamondbacks Retain Ketel Marte, End Trade Speculation

The Arizona Diamondbacks have decided to retain All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, ending months of trade speculation and signaling a commitment to their core players ahead of the 2026 season.

General manager Mike Hazen confirmed the resolution late in the offseason, stating that the team had explored options but ultimately chose to keep Marte. "It never ended up getting that close," Hazen told reporters. "Just sort of reaffirming what I've been saying the entire offseason, like my expectation was this wasn't going to happen. I felt like I had to do my job just to listen to what people had to say. He's a superstar player for us, and has been for a long time, and is going to continue to be."

Marte, 32, signed a six-year, $102.5 million extension with the Diamondbacks in April 2024, running through 2030 with a $11.5 million player option for 2031. The deal includes about $41 million in deferrals, making it favorable for the team. In 2025, he batted .283 with 28 home runs, 72 RBIs and an .893 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 126 games, earning his second Silver Slugger award and leading Arizona in weighted runs created plus. His performance built on a strong 2024, when he...