Boston Red Sox fans had high expectations for the 2025-26 offseason after the team went three straight years without making the playoffs. Red Sox Nation hoped for a long list of moves that would improve the team's defense, pitching and add pop to the lineup.
The exact moves many Sox fans hoped for did not come to pass. Alex Bregman signed wih the Chicago Cubs, Bo Bichette with the New York Mets, Kyle Schwarber with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Pete Alonso is now a division rival with the Baltimore Orioles — Bregman was the ideal fit, given his short history with the team, his career numbers at Fenway Park, his leadership and defensive skills.
But Red Sox fans know what they're missing now that Bregman is a Cub. Another popular offseason rumor would've brought an equally-talented, well-rounded player to Boston, but it went with a trade for Caleb Durbin instead (don't get us wrong, he's been great so far).
For weeks, the Red Sox were linked to Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and he would've been an excellent addition to their infield. If Sox fans could go back in time to execute one offseason rumor that never came true, many would go above and beyond to make a deal with Arizona.
If Red Sox fans could go back in time, many would make the trade for Ketel Marte
Marte checks almost every box on the Red Sox's offseason to-do list. He's a consistent hitter and has been for most of his 11-year MLB career, to the tune of a .281/.351/.472 slash line and an .823 OPS in that time. Marte is entering his age-32 season and age hasn't slowed him down at the plate — he clocked an .893 OPS over 126 games in 2025 and collected his second-straight All-Star nomination and Silver Slugger Award.
Marte also pairs his consistency with power, which Boston could use after its June Rafael Devers trade shipped much of the pop in the lineup across the country. Marte racked up 28 home runs in 2025 and 36 over 136 games 2024, which would've led the Red Sox in both years.
The three-time All-Star and MVP vote recipient is also a star defender at second base, where the Red Sox haven't had a consistent player since Dustin Pedroia's season-ending (and eventually career-ending) injury in 2017. Marte has posted above-average defensive range in each season since 2023, he logged 10 defensive runs saved in 2024 and one in 2025.
The Diamondbacks had an expensive return in mind for Marte, and rightfully so, but the Red Sox were unwilling to meet it. Some reports stated that Arizona requested Connelly Early or Payton Tolle in their return package, and others listed Marcelo Mayer (subscription required). Boston was unwilling to trade any of them, especially after it already made so many other trades and sacrificed so much depth.
Still, Sox fans can't help but wonder what it would've been like to see Marte don a Red Sox uniform and play half his games at Fenway Park. Durbin and Willson Contreras are great additions to Boston's infield, but Marte would've taken the roster to another level.