Mariners Rumors: Trading with the Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte

1 of 4

SEATTLE – SEPTEMBER 21: Ketel Marte #4 of the Seattle Mariners plays shortstop during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field on September 21, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 2-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Near Thanksgiving of 2016 something happened that is very rare. A trade worked out for BOTH sides! The Mariners swapped players, acquiring Mitch Haniger and Jean Segura for Taijuan Walker and a raw, but talented young infielder named Ketel Marte. Of course, the Mariners turned Segura into our shortstop of the future JP Crawford, but could the Mariners go to the past to find his running mate at second base?

Marte has been one of the best players in the National League since being shipped to the desert. He is slashing an eye-popping .296/.360/.492 since joining the Diamondbacks, hitting 57 home runs in parts of 5 years according to Baseball Reference.

What would happen if the Mariners once again had Ketel Marte?

This production was good enough for the Diamondbacks to lock up Marte through his age 31 season, with a 5 year 24 million dollar deal. This makes him one of the most affordable young stars in the league.

It is hard to tell what the market would look like for Marte, as the Mariners would likely have to overpay to obtain him. The Diamondbacks have also said they will not trade him, but could the Mariners pry him away?

Let’s dive in and take a look at a few trades that the Mariners could offer the Diamondbacks, and see if any of them would be enough to get Ketel Marte back in Seattle.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 12: Isaiah Campbell #62 of the Seattle Mariners warms up prior to an intrasquad game during summer workouts at T-Mobile Park on July 12, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Trade 1- It’s all in the name

Let me start by saying, there is no easy fit for a deal here. This is the closest and the most likely scenario for both sides as I see it. The Mariners would be giving up on two top 10 prospects in their system, for an oft-injured but high upside player in Marte.

Noelvi Marte is the centerpiece of this deal, and he is a player that could easily develop into a star in the desert. Noelvi has all the tools and the physical makeup to be a star, and his numbers in Modesto are eye-popping. He clearly fits the rebuilding timeline of the Diamondbacks much better than Ketel.

Isaiah Campbell is a nice addition to this deal for the Diamondbacks, although recovering from recent arm surgery. The Arkansas product was off to a great start in Everett before injury in 2021. The Diamondbacks lack deep pitching in their system and Campbell would immediately slot near their top 10.

In all likelihood, a trade for Ketel starts and ends with Noelvi, as the fit could be logical for both sides and their timelines. If they ended up on the phone together near the deadline, Dipoto would have to give decent thought to a Marte swap.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – APRIL 07: Taylor Trammell #20 of the Seattle Mariners scores against the Chicago White Sox. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Trade 2 – Not comfortable with giving up this much

This deal would be a slam dunk for the Diamondbacks, with a lot of upside. I would not be comfortable as the Mariners giving up this much as their current stage of the rebuild.

Poor Taylor Trammell would be traded (again). Trammell could play immediately and offer the D-Backs a higher upside player than anyone they currently deploy in their outfield. Although Trammell has struggled he is still just 23 years old and has shown massive power this season.

George Kirby is the centerpiece of this deal for Arizona. The 23-year-old right-hander has great command of four pitches and has shown an increase in velocity early in his pro career. He has a lot of value even though we have not seen a ton of him so far. His ERA is a 2.48 in 17 games as a professional and would be a high-end prospect add for Arizona.

To finish out this deal the D-Backs would get 6-6 lefty, Brandon Williamson. Williamson’s stock has soared this summer, especially following his promotion to Double-A Arkansas. His big curveball and ascending profile make him a great trade chip if the Mariners choose to do so. He and Kirby would both easily slide into their top 10 right away.

This trade gives the Diamondbacks what they need and then some, although I would stay away from a deal like this if I were Dipoto.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 07: Brandon Williamson #60, a Seattle Mariners prospect throws the ball during summer workouts. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Trade 3 – An underpay for Ketel Marte

This is probably not going to happen, but if it did I would be ecstatic. Marte is still young and affordable, not to mention he is a star. Coming away from this deal by not giving away any of the top six prospects in the Mariners organization is probably going to be considered an underpay by the industry.

We have already talked about Brandon Williamson, but Connor Phillips is another high upside arm the Mariners have. He is very young and has struggled a bit at Modesto this year. The upside is tremendous, with great late life on an upper 90s fastball.

Although people may not be as familiar with Phillips as they are with others in the Mariners farm system, he is still a great prospect. He comes in around 9/10 in most places that you look, and would likely fall around 6/7 in most teams prospect rankings.

This deal allows the Diamondbacks to stock up their farm and lets the Mariners trade from their greatest strength. The Diamondbacks should probably trade Ketel Marte, but they likely won’t. They continue to say that Marte will not be traded, but his fit on this Mariner ballclub is undeniable. I for one would welcome him back in Seattle with open arms.

Home / Mariners Rumors

What would happen if the Mariners once again had Ketel Marte?

Trade 1- It’s all in the name

Trade 2 – Not comfortable with giving up this much

Trade 3 – An underpay for Ketel Marte

Schedule