Updated MLB Rumors on Ketel Marte Trade Timeline After Diamondbacks GM's Comments

If the Arizona Diamondbacks are going to trade Ketel Marte, it will likely happen sooner than later so the team can focus on other offseason business.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Diamondbacks are "expected to move on soon" from Marte trade talks.

It's unclear if that means Arizona is likely to make a deal or if talks will be halted soon.

D-Backs general manager Mike Hazen didn't provide any clarity on a timeline with his comments to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert on Dec. 30, though he did note his "gut" feeling all along has been that Marte won't be traded:

"We're very likely to put an end to this shortly. ... I haven't figured that out yet. But this isn't going to continue to linger. We need to focus our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that [a trade of Marte] wasn't going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that's the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do."

Rosenthal and Sammon's report stated the Diamondbacks have "always" considered a trade of Marte to be a long-shot.

After setting a franchise record with just under $187 million in payroll spending last season ($216 million under the 40-man competitive balance tax), D-Backs owner Ken Kendrick said in September he doesn't expect to spend as much on the roster next season.

"ill we spend $220 (million) next year? I don't think that we will," Kendrick said. "Will we have a very significant payroll that will allow us to compete and be in the playoffs? I think we will."

Arizona has had a fairly quiet offseason, with the exception of bringing back Merrill Kelly after trading him to the Texas Rangers in July and signing Michael Soroka.

Trading Marte, who is under contract through the 2030 season, would likely bring back a huge haul for Arizona. The three-time All-Star is tied with Mookie Betts for the fifth-most WAR (15.3) among NL position players since the start of 2023.

Marte hit .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers in 126 games last season.

The Diamondbacks disappointed with an 80-82 record in 2025, but there are reasons to be optimistic for a quick turnaround. Their lineup, especially if they keep Marte, is very good at the top with Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Gabriel Moreno.

Arizona's pitching could be better with Kelly back in the fold and Corbin Burnes expected back midway through the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.