Red Sox On ‘Radar’ As Diamondbacks Try To Trade All-Star For Pitching

The Boston Red Sox have added to their starting rotation this offseason by trading for Sonny Gray. They may have a surplus of starting pitchers that other teams could come calling about.

Players like Tanner Houck, Hunter Dobbins, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval and Kyle Harrison could peak teams’ interest in trade talks. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Red Sox are on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ radar as they try to swap Ketel Marte out for pitching.

“They have told anyone and everyone they are willing to listen to offers for their All-Star second baseman, who signed a six-year, $116.5 million deal last spring with $46 million in deferred money,” Nightengale wrote on Tuesday. “The D-backs want pitching, and lots of it, in return. They spent a franchise-record last winter, missed the playoffs and will open next season without free agents Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly – and ace Corbin Burnes on the injured list for most of the season. They need help, and Marte is their most valuable trade chip. The Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays, who have plenty of pitching, are all on the radar.”

Marte is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. He has been great the last two years and could be a key player for any contender. However, he may not be the best fit for the Red Sox right now.

Marte had a .288/.374/.539 slash line and 64 home runs in the last two seasons. However, adding him could cause a logjam in the Red Sox infield. The team already has a surplus, and adding Marte would mean parting ways with some of their current infielders. The Red Sox may want to stick with their younger players as opposed to a more expensive, aging option like Marte.

The Red Sox’s top priority this offseason may still be re-signing Alex Bregman. However, keeping Bregman already makes it tough to get Marcelo Mayer on the field. Mayer could slot in at second base with Bregman in the hot corner, but then what of Kristian Campbell?

Campbell has already signed an extension with Boston and figures to be a major part of the team’s plans after an inconsistent year. Adding Marte to the infield mix would make it even tougher to get Mayer and Campbell on the field together. Mayer and Campbell were once two of the best prospects in the organization, and the team is unlikely to give up on them to add Marte.

While Marte is a great player and the Red Sox line up well for a trade with the Diamondbacks, Marte is not a great positional fit for the Red Sox. Trevor Story’s resurgence really puts the Red Sox out of the market for a middle infielder. If the Red Sox are unable to keep Bregman, Marte could be a fit with Mayer playing third base, but otherwise, the Red Sox should stay away.