Ketel Marte Trade Would Cement Jays' Path Back to World Series amid Latest MLB Rumors

The Toronto Blue Jays finished the 2025 MLB season one win shy of their first World Series triumph in more than 30 years.

They seem determined to use this offseason to help them clear that final hurdle.

They opened by making the biggest splash on the starting pitching market so far, adding Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal. Now, they're reportedly shifting their attention toward a lineup that could use more protection for star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.—especially if two-time All-Star Bo Bichette bolts in free agency.

While Toronto has put itself in the Kyler Tucker sweepstakes, it could also turn toward the trade market to find that extra oomph. The Blue Jays "are among the teams interested" in Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, who noted the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners are in the mix, too.

Marte, who secured his third career (and second consecutive) All-Star selection this past season, "appears likely to be moved," per Feinsand. Marte will, however, have some say in how this plays out, as he holds a no-trade list that reportedly features the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Athletics, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Knocking a few potential suitors out of the way should help Toronto, though it's worth noting the cost to land Marte will still be significant.

Besides being an electric talent, he's also an incredible bargain (relatively speaking, of course). His contract, which runs through 2031, features an average annual salary of just $19.4 million, per Spotrac.

That's a huge discount for a player of this caliber.

It could also perhaps be the deciding factor in any internal debates about Toronto pursuing either him or Tucker, who could wind up pocketing more than $400 million whenever he puts pen to paper on his next deal.

The Blue Jays would value Marte for more than his contract, though, of course. They'd also love to get his bat, which is among the liveliest at the position.

Over the past three seasons, he has tallied 89 home runs, 249 RBI and 274 runs scored. He's also put together a sizzling .283/.368/.519 slash line during this stretch.

For context, Marte's 28 homers this past season (compiled in just 126 contests) would have put him second on Toronto behind only the resurgent George Springer. Marte's 87 runs would have been third-highest on the team, trailing Springer and Guerrero.

There wouldn't be many scenarios in which the Blue Jays lose Bichette this winter and still upgrade their middle infield, but landing Marte would be the exception. That's assuming, of course, Toronto couldn't land both, but maybe it's willing to bloat the payroll to that degree.

Teams have certainly spent more in pursuit of championship glory.

If the Blue Jays had to choose, though, Marte might get the nod.

His power is legitimate and seemingly improving with age. He makes good contact and good decisions at the plate. He holds his own defensively. And while his playoff experience is limited, the results are still highly encouraging (three homers, 23 combined runs and RBI and a .344/.385/.589 slash line over 21 contests).

He is a certified star, and those will be needed for anyone hoping to dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers. After coming so close to doing exactly that, Toronto can, should and quite possibly will view him as the proverbial missing piece.