MLB Rumors on Alex Bregman Landing Spots, Ketel Marte Trade Talks amid D-Backs Buzz

As Ketel Marte trade rumors continue to gain steam, the Arizona Diamondbacks are emerging as a potential landing spot for Alex Bregman.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, even though there is a "scenario" in play where the D-Backs keep Marte and sign Bregman, retaining the All-Star second baseman feels "unrealistic" right now.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Tuesday that Arizona was "kicking the tires" on Bregman, but seemed to indicate any deal would likely be contingent on trading Marte and moving Jordan Lawlar to second base.

It's hard to figure out how the Diamondbacks view themselves in the National League hierarchy. They are coming off a disappointing 80-82 record, could lose Zac Gallen in free agency and will be without Corbin Burnes for at least the first three months of the 2026 season as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery.

Arizona did address some of the rotation concerns by bringing back Merrill Kelly, who was traded to Texas in July, on a two-year, $40 million deal in free agency.

It's not unreasonable to think the Diamondbacks could pull off a surprise and decide to keep both players. They have made stunning moves that seemed to come out of nowhere in the past, including signing Zack Greinke in 2015 and Burnes last year.

Marte is the type of a player a contending team would seem to want to keep, but his value is so high right now that trading him could bring back the kind of return that could quickly plug other roster holes in Arizona.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand has cited the Boston Red Sox, who could lose Bregman in free agency, as frontrunners to acquire Marte, but Rob Bradford of WEEI noted as of Tuesday there was no deal close.

Marte has five guaranteed years remaining on his current deal, plus an $11.5 million player option for 2031. He is owed $92 million from 2026 to '31. The three-time All-Star has been one of the most valuable players in MLB over the past three seasons with a .283/.368/.519 slash line and solid defense at second base during that span.

Lawlar, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 draft, has yet to establish himself at the MLB level. The 23-year-old has only played 42 games across two seasons, so it's not a representative sample to suggest he won't figure things out.

Bregman is a free agent for the second consecutive year after opting out of his deal with the Red Sox. He's coming off a strong 2025 season with a .273/.360/.462 slash line in 114 games.