During the period when Ketel Marte was available for trade, reports indicated that the Arizona Diamondbacks would only consider deals involving young, controllable pitching assets. The Seattle Mariners found themselves contemplating a potential offer that might include their promising second baseman, Cole Young. According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, the Mariners displayed not merely hesitation but outright resistance to parting with Young.
This development suggests the Mariners place high value on Young, reshaping prior assumptions about Marte’s trade prospects and Seattle’s possible involvement.
Details Surrounding the Mariners’ Pursuit of Marte
Interest in Marte intensified in early December 2025 when the three-time All-Star’s potential availability shifted from speculation to more confirmed reports. Bob Nightengale of USA Today identified Marte as the
biggest star who is a realistic candidate to be traded.
At that time, the D-backs appeared ready to move on due to their urgent need to bolster their pitching staff.
Jon Heyman from the New York Post highlighted the range of teams engaged in Marte discussions, including the Mariners, alongside the Red Sox, Pirates, Rays, Tigers, and Blue Jays:
Red Sox are among teams interested in D-Backs superstar 2B Ketel Marte. Gives them another star option after incumbent, coveted Bregman and Bichette. Mariners, Pirates, Rays, Tigers, Jays among others that fit KM. @BNightengale mentioned a couple of those teams 1st— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2025
Despite the excitement about Marte possibly joining Seattle, the idea of reacquiring a former prospect seemed overly optimistic. The Mariners would have needed to assume the remaining $92 million on Marte’s contract, a significant financial commitment shortly after signing Josh Naylor to a $92.5 million deal. Furthermore, if Arizona insisted on receiving young pitchers in return, the Mariners’ top arms—including Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryce Miller—were largely unavailable for trade.
Role of Cole Young in Trade Negotiations
Cole Young had always represented potential trade value due to his capability to replace Marte at second base for Arizona. With team control extending through 2031, Young was an attractive piece. Nevertheless, a one-for-one exchange was never sufficient, especially given Seattle’s reluctance to include their key MLB starters.
It is plausible that the Diamondbacks demanded additional top-tier prospects such as Kade Anderson, Ryan Sloan, or Jurrangelo Cijntje to complement any trade involving Marte and Young. Ultimately, those demands likely contributed to trade discussions stalling.
Closure and Future Implications
The trade talks concluded when the Diamondbacks removed Marte from the market in early January 2026, and the Mariners addressed their infield needs by acquiring Brendan Donovan instead. This resolution may benefit Seattle; while Marte remains a high-caliber player, he is also advancing in age, whereas Donovan is entering his prime, and Young appears poised to develop further after a strong offseason performance in Peoria.
As the saying goes,
sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make?
Yet the Mariners may have to justify their firm stance on Marte if this decision ultimately proves costly.
Red Sox are among teams interested in D-Backs superstar 2B Ketel Marte. Gives them another star option after incumbent, coveted Bregman and Bichette. Mariners, Pirates, Rays, Tigers, Jays among others that fit KM. @BNightengale mentioned a couple of those teams 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2025
Ketel Marte will remain with the Diamondbacks, source tells @TheAthletic. He will not be traded.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 9, 2026
