Why the Diamondbacks Should Trade Ketel Marte

Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

December 18, 2025

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a big decision to make, and it’s not an easy one. Ketel Marte has been one of the team’s best and most popular players for years. He hits for power, he hits for average, and he’s been a leader in the clubhouse. But as the team looks toward the future, let’s dive into why the Diamondbacks should trade Ketel Marte.
First, let’s be clear, talking about this doesn’t mean Marte isn’t still a really good player. He absolutely is. But baseball isn’t just about today; it’s also about what your roster will look like in two or three years. And right now, Arizona might be at the point where moving Marte could help them more than keeping him.

Age and the Decline That Comes With It

Marte will be 32 in the 2026 season, which is right around the time when many hitters start to slow down. Most players see their bat speed drop a little each year, and that usually leads to fewer home runs and fewer line drives in the gaps. It doesn’t always happen right away, but history shows that middle infielders rarely stay at their peak once they hit their 30s.

This doesn’t mean Marte is suddenly going to fall apart. He’s still strong, smart, and dangerous at the plate. But the Diamondbacks have to look ahead. If his numbers dip even slightly in the next year or two, his trade value could drop quickly. Right now, he’s still viewed as an All-Star caliber second baseman. This might be the last chance to get a huge return for him. Trading a player too late can set a team back. Trading a player a little early can sometimes move the team forward.

The Return Could Be Massive

If the Diamondbacks decide to trade Marte, they won’t be doing it for a small package. They would be doing it because they could get something big! Something that could help the team for the next five to ten years.

A Marte trade could realistically bring back:

A front-line starting pitcher
Two or three top-level prospects
A young major-league-ready hitter

At least 11 teams have been rumored to be interested in Marte. Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, or even the Baltimore Orioles would jump at the chance to add a switch-hitting second baseman with power and experience. Contenders love players like Marte because he fits into almost any lineup and improves it immediately. And for the Diamondbacks, pitching remains one of the largest needs. They need someone who can match up with the top arms in the league. Marte could be the key to bringing in that kind of talent.

The Dodgers Block the Division; For Now

The hardest truth for Arizona fans is this: winning the NL West is almost impossible right now. The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best rosters in baseball. They’re deep, they’re rich, and they keep adding stars every year. Even when they lose players, they replace them quickly. Competing with them head-to-head is a tough hill to climb. That’s why the Diamondbacks have to think long-term.

If the Dodgers stay strong for the next two seasons, Arizona might not win the division anyway, no matter how good Marte is. But in three or four years, things could look very different. Big contracts expire. Stars get older. Teams change. If the Diamondbacks get younger now by trading Marte for prospects and pitching, they could be the team ready to rise when the Dodgers finally dip. Instead of trying to beat L.A. at its strongest or fight for a Wild Card spot every season, Arizona could time its next big push for when the division becomes more open.

A Tough Choice, But the Right One?

Trading Ketel Marte would be emotional. He’s been one of the faces of the franchise. But sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that help the team the most. Right now, the Diamondbacks have a chance to reshape their future. This is why the Diamondbacks should trade Ketel Marte. They can get younger, add pitching, and build a core that peaks together in a few years when the division could be up for grabs again. Moving on from Marte wouldn’t be easy. But it might be the smart, forward-thinking move that helps the Diamondbacks become contenders again down the road.