Red Sox Insider Downplays Club’s Pursuit Of Ketel Marte

The Red Sox are among the teams interested in Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

It’s not like they’re banging down the door, however…

Alex Speier of The Boston Globe somewhat downplayed the club’s pursuit of the superstar second baseman in his report from MLB’s Winter Meetings on Monday — citing an industry source.

“The Sox have also checked in with the Diamondbacks — a team in need of rotation help — about the availability of star second baseman Ketel Marte, though one industry source downplayed the team’s pursuit of Marte, suggesting other teams had been more aggressive in trying to land the three-time All-Star,” Speier wrote.

Mart, who just played on the first year of a six-year, $116.5 million contract and is under control through 2030, has been selected as an All-Star each of the last two seasons and slashed .288/.374/.539 with 64 home runs and 167 RBIs. Arizona wants to get out from underneath that contract and are in desperate need for starting pitching — which is suddenly abundant in Boston.

The Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays were mentioned as teams who had checked in on Marte, and perhaps have been more aggressive in their pursuit. The Red Sox have also been tied to infielders Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, after all.

It’ll remain to be seen where the veteran ultimately ends up, but there has been smoke around Four Jersey Street.