Logo

Yankees Given Stunning News on Potential Trade Target Amid Quiet Offseason

The New York Yankees have received unexpected and potentially damaging news regarding one of their rumored trade targets, as the club continues a notably quiet offseason.

New York has been linked to several names in recent weeks, but one of the most intriguing possibilities was Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte. That option now appears unlikely. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Marte has placed the Yankees on his five-team no-trade list.

“Marte has a five-team no-trade list – the Athletics, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Giants and Cardinals, according to people briefed on his contract,” Rosenthal reported. “He will gain full no-trade protection as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five consecutive with the same team, on the 10th day of the 2026 season.”

Why Marte included the Yankees on that list remains unclear, but the development is surprising given New York’s consistent status as a World Series contender. Regardless, it effectively removes the Yankees from any serious trade discussions involving Marte.

Marte is coming off another strong season with Arizona, hitting .283 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs. He is a three-time All-Star, the NLCS MVP in 2023, and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, making him one of the most valuable infielders potentially available.

Despite the setback with New York, the Diamondbacks are still believed to be open to trading Marte. Arizona has already committed money this offseason, extending Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million deal and signing Michael Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million contract. Those moves have not changed their broader approach.

“The Arizona Diamondbacks’ two-year, $40 million agreement with right-hander Merrill Kelly, coupled with their one-year, $7.5 million signing of Michael Soroka, changes little in the team’s approach to trading second baseman Ketel Marte,” Rosenthal wrote, citing a club source.

Arizona is expected to seek young, major-league ready pitching in any Marte deal, though prospects that could be flipped to a third team are also being considered. Rosenthal noted that Marte’s contract is extremely team-friendly, with surplus value estimated at around $100 million, which raises the asking price significantly.

A multi-team trade remains possible, but Rosenthal cautioned that such a structure could complicate an already difficult negotiation.

Meanwhile, the Yankees may be weighing internal alternatives. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported during the Winter Meetings that New York has listened to trade calls on Jazz Chisholm Jr., a surprising development given his production and team control.

“A second baseman is going to move. Maybe multiple,” Passan wrote. “There is too much interest in Ketel Marte, Brendan Donovan and Brandon Lowe for a deal not to be consummated… The Yankees have listened on Jazz Chisholm Jr.”

Chisholm is under team control through 2026 and is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. In his first year with New York, he hit .242 with 31 home runs and 80 RBIs, earning his second All-Star selection.

For now, the Yankees’ offseason remains in a holding pattern — and the door to Ketel Marte appears firmly closed.

 
 

🔥 FROM JACKSONVILLE ICON TO IMMORTAL: Jimmy Smith Enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cementing a Legacy That Defined an Era
Jacksonville, Florida – January , 2026 – Jimmy Smith’s name is now forever etched among football’s immortals. The legendary wide receiver of the Jacksonville Jaguars has officially been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a moment Jaguars fans have long awaited. For a franchise that was still building its identity, Smith’s induction is more than just a personal achievement. It’s the recognition of a player who reshaped Jacksonville’s passing offense and became a symbol of consistency and excellence throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Smith’s career was never about the spotlight — it was about impact. Drafted in 1995, Smith entered a Jaguars team that was on the rise, searching for its place in the NFL. What followed was one of the most productive and consistent careers in franchise history. Over his 11 seasons in Jacksonville, Smith became the team’s all-time leader in receptions (862), yards (12,287), and touchdowns (67), all while playing for a small-market team that was often overlooked. But the numbers tell only part of the story. Smith embodied the heart of Jacksonville’s offense during the Tom Coughlin era. He was a true game-changer — a reliable, versatile receiver who could do it all. Whether it was a quick slant or a deep route down the sideline, Smith had the ability to make plays that put the Jaguars’ offense on the map. He consistently delivered in clutch moments and established himself as one of the premier wide receivers of the 1990s and 2000s. “Jimmy was the guy who made everything click,” a former teammate once said. “You knew if you needed a big play, Jimmy would come through.” Smith’s career was also marked by his perseverance and consistency. A 5-time Pro Bowler (1996-2000), he was consistently among the league’s best. In fact, during his prime, he ranked second in receptions and first in yards in the 1990s and 2000s, trailing only Marvin Harrison. His impact on the Jaguars’ passing game cannot be overstated — he helped define the team’s offensive identity during the franchise’s formative years. Although Smith was a nominee and semifinalist for the Hall of Fame in 2026, his induction was long overdue. Playing in a small-market city like Jacksonville meant he wasn’t always in the national spotlight, but his on-field achievements and consistent production spoke for themselves. Smith was one of the most underrated wide receivers of his generation and a key part of Jacksonville’s early success. For Jacksonville, Smith’s induction carries profound significance. Before the team had its modern-day stars, Jimmy Smith was the face of the Jaguars’ offense. He represented hard work, dedication, and the ability to perform at the highest level, even when the world wasn’t always paying attention. As Jimmy Smith takes his rightful place in Canton, his legacy is undeniable. He wasn’t part of a dynasty, but he was one of the most respected, consistent, and feared wide receivers the game has ever seen. Jimmy Smith didn’t just play football.He redefined it. And now, his name lives forever — exactly where it belongs.