An MVP candidate could be on the move this winter.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will reportedly listen to offers for second baseman Ketel Marte this off-season due to his disruptive clubhouse presence, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Marte, a three-time all-star, is in the midst of another excellent season with the Diamondbacks, carrying a .957 OPS, 23 homers and 56 RBIs into play Sunday. The 31-year-old switch-hitter was an MVP finalist in 2024 and was a key piece of Arizona's run to the World Series in 2023, earning NLCS MVP honours.
Despite Marte's impressive resume in the desert, "he can be a diva in the clubhouse, agitating his teammates and coaching staff," Nightengale wrote Sunday.
"His detractors are still angry that he took a day off the final week of last season when they were fighting for their playoff lives."
This season, Marte left members of the organization "seething" when he took time off following the all-star break, during which his house was robbed.
According to Nightengale, "the team put him on the restricted list and refused to pay him during his absence, and aired frustrations in a private meeting upon his return."
Since landing with the Diamondbacks via trade in 2016, Marte has ranked among MLB's most productive second basemen. At the keystone spot, Marte checks in second in OPS (.855) and third in WAR (30.2), as calculated by FanGraphs, since 2017.
Earlier this season, Arizona signed Marte to a $116.5 million contract extension that would have kept him with the Diamondbacks through 2031. It was his third extension with the organization.
However, with some clear behind-the-scenes issues and the fact that Marte will receive a full no-trade clause early next season, when he becomes a 10-and-5 player, the Diamondbacks may cut ties with their longtime infielder ahead of the 2026 season.
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