For several weeks now, the Boston Red Sox have been heavily linked to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte, exploring the possibility of making a significant trade to reshape the heart of their lineup. Despite the persistent rumors and growing speculation, no deal has yet materialized. However, as the MLB winter meetings unfolded, Boston’s level of urgency—and the intensity surrounding their search for an impact player—clearly increased.
The Red Sox entered the offseason with ambitious goals, particularly a desire to add a high-end, middle-of-the-order bat. But the last two weeks have not gone according to plan. Boston had been strongly connected to both Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, two players who would have immediately strengthened their offense. Instead, each slipped away.
Schwarber finalized a new contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, opting to stay in the NL East. Alonso, long a dream target for many in Boston’s front office, reached an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles. These developments left the Red Sox watching other clubs secure the type of star power they themselves have been chasing, while their own options began to thin out.
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This shift in the market—paired with the fast pace of offseason transactions—has put pressure on Boston to pivot quickly. With Alonso and Schwarber off the board, the pool of available star-level infielders has shrunk considerably.
In turn, the value and appeal of acquiring someone like Ketel Marte has only grown. Marte is not just another name; he is considered one of the most well-rounded and dynamic infielders in the game. Known for his elite bat-to-ball skills, switch-hitting ability, and versatility, he represents exactly the type of player Boston has been seeking: someone capable of being a cornerstone contributor for several years.
On Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive offered a comprehensive look at where things stood for Boston following the winter meetings. According to his reporting, the Red Sox have not slowed their pursuit of Marte.
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Cotillo explained that Boston continues to operate with an expansive approach to potential additions, remaining active in discussions involving both free agents and trade candidates across multiple positions. He noted that as of Thursday night, the Red Sox remained involved with a wide range of top-end hitters still available in the market.
Cotillo specifically highlighted three primary players the Red Sox are still engaged with. First, the team is maintaining conversations with Alex Bregman, a free agent whom Boston has been tied to for months. Bregman, who opted out of his contract after the 2025 season, has long been valued by the organization for his leadership qualities, postseason experience, and consistent offensive production—despite his diminished power numbers in recent years.
Second, Cotillo confirmed that the Red Sox are actively discussing a potential trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks centered around Ketel Marte. These talks have been ongoing, but recent developments suggest that Boston is increasing its efforts as it continues searching for that missing marquee bat.
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Third, Cotillo noted that Boston has also engaged the Houston Astros regarding Isaac Paredes, another intriguing option who combines power, plate discipline, and infield versatility. This broader approach underscores Boston’s desire not to be cornered into a single path—yet it’s clear that Marte remains one of the highest-priority targets.
Any trade involving Marte would come at a significant cost, a reality the Red Sox fully understand. Arizona would not be eager to part with its franchise player without receiving substantial value in return.
For Boston, that likely means parting with Jarren Duran—whose breakout season in 2024 finally demonstrated his long-awaited potential—as well as one of their top pitching prospects. And even that might not be enough; the Diamondbacks could seek additional high-upside assets to compensate for losing one of the most productive and consistent hitters in the National League.
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But despite the steep price, the Red Sox may feel that acquiring Marte is worth the investment. The organization has been seeking an impact player capable of elevating the entire offensive unit. Marte fits that description perfectly.
His ability to hit from both sides of the plate allows him to slot seamlessly into multiple positions in the batting order, but he would almost certainly take on a spot squarely in the middle of Boston’s lineup. His blend of power, contact ability, and clutch hitting could provide exactly the stabilizing force the Red Sox have been missing.
At the same time, acquiring Marte would give Boston more flexibility elsewhere in the roster. With Marte in place, the team would no longer be pressured into matching the potentially rising price of an Alex Bregman deal. Instead, they could focus their financial resources on other areas, particularly pitching—where they have also expressed serious interest in making upgrades.
For instance, free-agent right-hander Michael King has been mentioned as one of the top pitching targets Boston could pursue. Securing a hitter through trade means the team could dedicate a larger portion of its budget to the pitching staff, addressing multiple needs without overspending on a single player.
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Beyond the obvious on-field benefits, a Marte acquisition would send a strong signal to fans and the rest of the league about Boston’s willingness to be aggressive. The Red Sox have often been criticized in recent years for failing to capitalize on opportunities to acquire star-level players. Landing Marte would counter that narrative and demonstrate that the front office is prepared to make bold decisions to compete in an increasingly competitive American League.
The addition of a superstar-caliber player tends to have a ripple effect throughout the roster. With Marte anchoring the offense, the rest of Boston’s lineup could fall into more natural roles. Young players would feel less pressure to generate power, established veterans would have more protection around them, and the team as a whole could take on a more balanced offensive identity. Combined with the potential acquisition of a top pitcher like King, the Red Sox could reshape their competitive outlook significantly.
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In the end, while no deal has been finalized, the pursuit of Ketel Marte represents one of the most intriguing storylines of Boston’s offseason. The team remains firmly in the mix, actively exploring possibilities and weighing the cost against the long-term reward.
The winter meetings may have intensified the spotlight, but for the Red Sox, the real work now involves determining just how far they’re willing to go to secure the star they’ve been chasing—and whether they can pull off a move that could redefine the trajectory of their franchise.
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