The latest on Monday afternoon came from MLB Network insider and frequent Seattle Sports guest Jon Morosi, who reported where the Diamondbacks stand on potentially making their star switch-hitter available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe D-backs are willing to engage with teams on Ketel Marte, but the price tag is high \u2013 with an emphasis on starting pitchers who are at (or near) the major-league level,\u201d Morosi wrote on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Mariners are have \u201cexpressed interest\u201d in bringing Marte back to Seattle, The Seattle Times\u2019 Adam Jude reported Monday<\/a>, but there have been no indications that the M\u2019s and D-backs have engaged on talks about Marte.<\/p>\n In 2025, Marte won his second career Silver Slugger award after slashing .283\/.376\/.517 for an .893 OPS with 28 home runs, and he was essentially platoon neutral with an .893 OPS as a left-handed hitter and .891 OPS as a right-handed hitter.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Marte was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2010 by the Mariners and played the first 176 games of his MLB career with Seattle in 2015 and 2016. The Mariners sent him to Arizona in the trade that brought Mitch Haniger and Jean Segura to Seattle, and while that move worked well for the M\u2019s, Marte has blossomed into one of the best and most consistent hitters in the big leagues with the D-backs.<\/p>\n Seattle has some unsettled positions in their infield for 2026, with Cole Young and Ben Williamson slotted in at second and third base respectively coming off their first season in the big leagues. The Mariners could still potentially re-sign Jorge Polanco, another switch-hitting second baseman, or Eugenio Su\u00e1rez, the slugging third baseman they acquired back from Arizona just before the MLB trade deadline in July. That means Marte is far from the only option for the M\u2019s if they\u2019re looking to add a proven bat this winter.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, there may be an answer on Polanco\u2019s destination for 2026 soon, with ESPN\u2019s Jesse Rogers reporting on Monday<\/a> that he is \u201cexpected to sign with a team during the winter meetings\u201d that are taking place this week in Orlando. That could have a big impact on whether or not the M\u2019s make a run at a trade for Marte.<\/p>\n Salk: Why Mariners\u2019 offseason now hinges on Jorge Polanco<\/a><\/p>\n Morosi\u2019s report about the Diamondbacks\u2019 needs is very similar to what was said before Seattle made separate deals with Arizona for Josh Naylor and Su\u00e1rez in July.<\/p>\n \u201cThey need pitchers that are close to ready,\u201d John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix told Seattle Sports\u2019 Brock and Salk on July 21<\/a>.<\/p>\n Who have they got?<\/p>\n The Mariners have avoided trading any of their primary starting pitchers to this point, and there\u2019s been no indication that would change this winter, even if it\u2019s for Marte. Seattle does have some arms outside of the five-man rotation that are at or near the major league level, though.<\/p>\n Logan Evans made 15 starts as a rookie in 2025, while 2020 first-round pick Emerson Hancock made 16. In the minors, switch-pitcher and 2024 first-round pick Jurrangelo Cijntje is the No. 90 overall prospect as ranked by MLB and reached Double-A last season, while 2024 second-rounder Ryan Sloan is MLB\u2019s No. 44 prospect after reaching High-A with Everett this year.<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s lefty Kade Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick this year out of LSU who has yet to throw a pitch as a pro but is the No. 23 prospect per MLB and could debut in the majors as soon as next season<\/a>.<\/p>\n That being said, the Mariners were able to swing their two trades with the Diamondbacks this year without touching their starting pitching depth. The Naylor trade cost them pitching prospects Ashton Izzi and Brandyn Garcia, while first baseman Tyler Locklear and relief prospects Hunter Cranton and Juan Burgos was the price for Su\u00e1rez.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old Marte, however, is a much different case than Naylor or Su\u00e1rez, who were both on expiring contracts when they were traded. Marte is entering the second year of a six-year, $116.5 million contract that will last through 2030 and includes an $11.5 million player option for 2031. At that rate, the Diamondbacks should have plenty of suitors to choose from. And if an interested team isn\u2019t willing or able to fill the request for MLB-level starting pitching, Arizona may be apt to move on and look for another trade partner who can better fit that need.<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n \u2022 Drayer: What the Jose Ferrer trade means for Mariners<\/a>
\u2022 Mariners announce 2026 coaching staff, including three new hires<\/a>
\u2022 America\u2019s team? Mariners the top trending team in 2025<\/a>
\u2022 Bowden: Mariners ahead of the game entering winter meetings<\/a>
\u2022 Salk: The emerging trade targets who best fit Seattle Mariners<\/a><\/p>\n
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