Boston Red Sox fans are probably good for a while when it comes to making blockbuster trades with teams in the National League West after the highly questionable Rafael Devers deal. But fans should keep an open mind, at least when it comes to the Arizona desert.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Arizona Diamondbacks are "definitely motivated" to move All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, who just won a Silver Slugger Award and is one year removed from a third-place finish in NL MVP voting.
Marte, who turned 32 in October, has five years and $91 million remaining on his contract, plus an $11.5 million player option in 2031 (when he'd be 37). Paying an All-Star second baseman an average of $18 million per year over five years is a bargain in today's baseball landscape, but durability concerns and Marte's age could drive away interested parties.
The Red Sox shouldn't be scared off by those concerns. Barring a miraculous defensive turnaround from Kristian Campbell, they have a glaring hole at second base, as well a serious need for some star power in the lineup. Marte could prove to be their best chance at getting both this offseason.
Ketel Marte could solve longstanding second base woes in Boston if Red Sox are willing to accept the risk
Second base has been a black hole in Beantown ever since Dustin Pedroia retired, and there's no real good answer on the roster right now, especially if Marcelo Mayer moves to third base to fill the hole created by Alex Bregman's impending departure.
That's where Marte comes in. He may not be a Gold Glove-caliber defender at the keystone, but after a brilliant effort in 2024 (eights outs above average, 10 defensive runs saved), he followed that up with another strong showing in the field this year (one OAA, one DRS).
Still, it's his bat that the Red Sox would be trading for. He's won back-to-back Silver Sluggers at second base in the National League, producing at astonishing rates for a second baseman. He hit .292/.372/.560 (152 wRC+) with 36 home runs and 95 RBI a year ago, and his 2025 campaign was just as impressive: .283/.376/.517 (145 wRC+) with 28 homers and 72 RBI.
It's true that he's only played in 262 games in that span while nursing various lower body injuries, but his 10.9 fWAR leads all second basemen in baseball since the start of 2024. There's going to be risk associated with an older veteran, but he's a legitimate MVP candidate on a team-friendly contract.
Importantly, Nightengale notes that the Diamondbacks have to trade Marte this offseason, hence why they're so motivated to move their star. If they don't, he'll gain 10-and-5 rights in April 2026, which would give him a comprehensive no-trade clause.
All of this creates the perfect storm for the Red Sox to make a deal happen with the Diamondbacks. Marte could fill a position of need for the next half-decade while replacing Bregman in the middle of the lineup, all for a fraction of the cost that he'd be worth on the open market. It may require some notable prospects or major leaguers to get a trade done, but the Sox's front office should be just as motivated as the D-Backs' to strike a deal.