If the Mariners are actually able to swing a trade for Ketel Marte, what could the lineup look like?
The Mariners are rumored to be one of the teams in the race for Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, a three-time All-Star who originally came up with Seattle. With the Mariners currently projected to start Cole Young at second base next season, let’s take a look at what the lineup could look like with Marte at the keystone instead.
The Mariners’ ideal 2026 starting lineup if Ketel Marte trade rumor materializes
1. Ketel Marte, 2B
Marte alternated between the leadoff spot and the two-hole last season in Arizona, but would be the Mariners’ best fit at leadoff. Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez have both tried and failed to be competent leadoff hitters, so it makes a lot of sense to try somebody new in that role. Marte has the skills necessary to be a capable leadoff guy, with speed, contact, and power.
2. Julio Rodríguez, CF
Rodríguez has hit well from the two-hole and would fit well behind Marte. The Mariners center fielder is obviously not going anywhere this offseason.
3. Cal Raleigh, C
Raleigh is the best hitter in the Mariners lineup, and still will be if Marte is flipped to Seattle. He’s shown he can hold his own in the three-hole, and with protection in front of him from Rodríguez, he’ll have the opportunity to hit plenty of home runs and drive in plenty of runs in 2026.
4. Josh Naylor, 1B
Naylor slots in nicely behind Raleigh, and while there is an argument to shift Naylor into the two-hole (with Rodríguez batting third, and Raleigh batting fourth), it makes the most sense to have Naylor hit cleanup. He might not be the team’s best power hitter, but he can pop 20 home runs a year and has the clutch genes to drive in a lot of runs.
5. Randy Arozarena, LF
Arozarena slides down the fifth spot in the lineup in this rendition, which feels like a good fit for him. He was killing baseballs back in July, when he was hitting mostly fifth or sixth, and clearly seemed more comfortable in the middle of the order than at the top.
6. Dominic Canzone, DH
This is where the lineup begins to fall apart. The Mariners’ current DH is Dominic Canzone, which isn’t necessarily a bad option, but it’s not great. Canzone did have a good season last year, but he was horrific in the playoffs, leading many fans to question whether he will be a long-term success.
7. Victor Robles, RF
The Mariners will be hoping for a bounce-back season from Robles, who missed significant time last season after his spectacular catch in early April, which injured him for the entirety of May, June, July, and most of August. He’ll be back, and he’s a better defender than Canzone, which is why he’ll be in right field and Canzone will be the DH.
8. Ben Williamson, 3B
This could go to Leo Rivas, but Williamson is the better defender and likely will have another shot to win the third base job. It’s also still possible the Mariners sign a third baseman, but if they trade for Marte, it would probably take them out of the running for big-name third basemen like Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suárez.
9. J.P. Crawford, SS
Crawford will be back at shortstop, and giving him the last spot in the order would effectively allow him to work as a second leadoff man. He’s hit well from the ninth spot before.
Bench: Leo Rivas, Cole Young, Luke Raley, and a catcher
At this point, Rivas and Young would make the roster as utility infielders, with Young (now displaced by Marte) likely picking up shortstop and third base. Raley would be the team’s bench outfielder and can also play first base or serve as DH. The team would also need to sign a backup catcher, with Mitch Garver currently a free agent and Harry Ford recently traded away.
