Yankees Given Stunning News on Potential Trade Target Amid 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.