Bob Nightengale’s Ketel Marte Prediction Will Delight Red Sox Fans

Boston Red Sox fans hoping to see the club sign Pete Alonso were disappointed on Wednesday as news hit that Alonso is finalizing a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. But the Red Sox might be on the verge of acquiring a different superstar bat, according to USA Today’s MLB insider Bob Nightengale.

Shortly after the Alonso news broke on Wednesday, Nightengale appeared as a guest on Foul Territory and predicted that the Red Sox will trade for superstar second baseman Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ketel Marte's trade market is heating up, says @BNightengale.

"I think Boston is saying, we're not gonna wait all day for Alex Bregman. Let's go get Marte." pic.twitter.com/Zo8q90beIW

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 10, 2025

“I think (Marte) goes to the Red Sox,” Nightengale said. “I think the Red Sox have got the pitching to get it done; we’ll see what they do with (Alex) Bregman. I think that Boston is saying ‘ya know what? We’re not gonna wait all day for Bregman. Let’s get Marte.’ He’d fit in that clubhouse, and Alex Cora would be the perfect manager for him.”

The switch-hitting Marte slashed .283/ .376/ .517 with 28 homers, 72 RBI, and 87 runs in 126 games in 2025, posting a career-best 11.8 percent walk rate and leading NL second basemen in wRC+ at 145.

Starting for the NL All-Stars in July (his third nod), Marte also earned his second straight Silver Slugger and All-MLB First Team honors. A hamstring strain sidelined him for most of April, but he rebounded with a .349 average over his final 10 games. Personal challenges, including a home burglary during All-Star festivities and a fan’s insensitive taunt, tested his resolve during the season; he missed three post-break contests but later apologized to teammates.

Arizona, eliminated in their last series for the second year running, has been reportedly fielding trade inquiries for the 32-year-old at Winter Meetings, with the Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and others said to be engaged.

Since debuting with Seattle in 2015, Marte has evolved into a franchise player, amassing a .281 average, 1,273 hits, 171 homers, and 587 RBI across 11 seasons (mostly in Arizona after a 2016 trade).

His 2023 NLCS MVP (.387 average) propelled the D-backs to the World Series, cementing his clutch reputation. A six-year, $116.5 million extension through 2031 secures his future for whichever team lands him in the event of a trade.