Red Sox ‘More Likely’ To Acquire Ketel Marte Than Division Rival, Per Kerry Miller

There are a ton of conflicting reports out there about whether or not Arizona Diamondbacks superstar Ketel Marte will be traded this offseason. One thing most, if not all of the reports have in common is that they identify the Boston Red Sox as a team interested in Marte’s services.

It makes sense. As Boston continues to pursue offense (with Alex Bregman remaining a top target), Marte’s back-to-back Silver Slugger awards over the past two seasons look awfully enticing. 

Another thing we’re sure about Marte: he has 10-and-5 full no-trade rights that become active a couple weeks into the 2026 season. This has convinced some analysts that the Diamondbacks are eager to trade him before Opening Day.

Ketel Marte home run supercut, because why not pic.twitter.com/v2ogCWQ0kp

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) December 10, 2025

On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller identified some of Marte’s other suitors besides the Red Sox, naming the Toronto Blue Jays (!), Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, as well as a surprise team … the Tampa Bay Rays. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi also reported on Friday that the Rays are in on Marte.

“It is … surprising to hear that the Rays are that seriously in the market for an expensive, slugging second baseman while simultaneously trying to trade away Brandon Lowe’s $11.5M salary,” Miller wrote. 

“Knowing the Rays, though, if they got the deal done, they’d keep Marte for the $16M season in 2026 and the $12M season in 2027 before trading away the remaining four years and $75.5M.”

Tampa Bay’s interest in Marte has already yielded some interesting intel frm Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, who reported on Wednesday that the D-Backs want starting pitchers Shane Baz and Ryan Pepiot from the Rays in the package for Marte.

Even if you take Piecoro’s reporting with a grain of salt, it makes sense that Arizona would be after starting pitching, given their needs. This is what makes the Red Sox and their wealth of young arms another good fit as a trade partner for the Diamondbacks. 

In fact, Miller ultimately predicted that Marte will get traded, and he specified that the Red Sox are a more probably landing spot for Marte than the Rays.

“We’re BUYING Marte getting traded before Opening Day, but SELLING the Rays being the landing spot,” Miller wrote. “The Red Sox still seem more likely, and definitely have the available young arms to make it happen.”

Marte, 32, hit .283/ .376/ .517/ .893 in 2025 with 136 hits, 28 home runs, 72 RBI and 87 runs scored for the D-Backs. He has six years left on his deal, which includes a player option for 2031.