Rumored Red Sox Trade Target Reportedly Staying Put

The Boston Red Sox may have to move on from a popular reported offseason trade target.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will not trade Ketel Marte this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Boston must pivot from the All-Star second baseman.

Marte remained one of the Red Sox’s “primary targets” on the trade front, even after they acquired first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. The 32-year-old would have represented a massive upgrade at the keystone position after Boston’s second basemen collectively hit .241/.308/.362 in 2025.

However, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen indicated near the end of December that he was close to halting Marte trade talks.

“We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly,” Hazen said on Dec. 30. “… My gut this whole time was that (trading 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.”

Arizona will reportedly retain an elite performer who batted .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs and the highest weighted on-base average (.380) of any qualified second baseman last season. He remains under contract through 2030 with a 2031 player option.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox could still seek a new second baseman unless they re-sign Alex Bregman and move Marcelo Mayer to second. Bo Bichette stands out as the top free-agent choice if the shortstop changes positions, and Brendan Donovan is a potential trade candidate if the Red Sox want to make another deal with the Cardinals.