BOSTON, MA — With the acquisition of Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox have successfully addressed their immediate need for a reliable starting pitcher.1 However, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is wasting no time, as MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reports the front office is now “shifting their attention to an impact bat.”2 While re-signing Alex Bregman and pursuing Pete Alonso remain top priorities, a shocking trade target has emerged that could transform Boston’s lineup: Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte.3
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi revealed the Diamondbacks are “actively listening” to offers for Marte, placing the chance of a move at “50/50.” Given the urgency to upgrade the offense, the Red Sox must seize this opportunity and skip the line of costly free-agent pursuits.
Why Ketel Marte is the Smartest Move
Marte, who turned 32 in October, is arguably at the peak of his powers.4 In his 2025 All-Star season, he slashed 5$.283/.376/.517/.893$ with 28 home runs and 72 RBI in just 126 games.6 Since 2023, he ranks ninth in wRC+ and 13th in fWAR among all position players.7
| Player Profile | Value Proposition |
| Elite Performance | Average $.883$ OPS and 30 homers over the last three seasons. Finished third in NL MVP voting in 2024. |
| Massive Bargain | Marte has $\$103.5$ million remaining on his deal over the next six years (including the 2031 player option), equating to a $17.25 million Average Annual Value (AAV). This is an immense bargain for a superstar. |
| Outfield Logjam Solution | Acquiring Marte, an infielder, allows the Red Sox to use their deep outfield logjam as trade capital. Sending Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu along with elite prospects would be a realistic package. |
The Mayer Dilemma: A Non-Issue
Some internal speculation suggests acquiring Marte could complicate the role of top prospect Marcelo Mayer, especially if Bregman is re-signed. However, this is viewed as a weak argument against a superstar acquisition.
- Talent Wins: Mayer has not proven he can stay healthy for a full season.8 Protecting his potential 162-game status at the expense of an MVP-caliber player like Marte is counterproductive to winning now.
- Infield Depth: With Marte, Bregman, and Trevor Story all north of 30, they will require regular rest.9 Manager Alex Cora has proven adept at incorporating utility players; making Mayer the “fifth infielder” significantly raises the floor of the entire roster’s depth.
The Red Sox possess the prospect capital needed to jump to the front of the line.11 Trading two elite prospects paired with an outfielder for Marte would be a phenomenal move, signaling that Boston is truly serious about transforming its roster into a championship contender.
