Third Baseman Ketel Marte Is On the Boston Red Sox's Radar

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, Behindenemylines said:

Unfortunely, doesn't look like the D-Backs are going to move Marte, The GM all but said that he will remain in Arizona. So he is not the solution to Sox lack of production.

I thought he said he'd be shutting down talks soon, if nothing happens

[JoeBrady]

11 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

I thought he said he'd be shutting down talks soon, if nothing happens

I don't give much credence to GM talk.  If this was the end of the off-season, then you need final plans.  But this early, he has plenty of time.

[mvp 78]

15 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I don't give much credence to GM talk.  If this was the end of the off-season, then you need final plans.  But this early, he has plenty of time.

Part of it is trying to move the ball faster and get the deal over sooner than later IMO. I don't think he wants a strict deadline, but don't believe he wants this dragging out until February.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I don't give much credence to GM talk.  If this was the end of the off-season, then you need final plans.  But this early, he has plenty of time.

All it takes is an offer he likes.

[notin]

2 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

All it takes is an offer he likes.

Exactly.  Sometimes in GM Speak, “not available” means “not available for that offer”…

[Larry Cook]

On 12/18/2025 at 7:33 AM, mvp 78 said:

If Casas could go on April 1, sure. I think they need to sign a cheap 1B option in case of an emergency though that can platoon with Masa at DH.

Patella tendon injuries  are the longest to heal! April 1st sounds very aggressive 

[mvp 78]

2 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Patella tendon injuries  are the longest to heal! April 1st sounds very aggressive 

I think he starts the season on the IL and spends the first half in AAA. 

[moonslav59]

22 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Patella tendon injuries  are the longest to heal! April 1st sounds very aggressive 

He had surgery in mid May 2025. Just about everything I read says this, but it seems doubtful:

"Extensive rehab, aiming for a return for the start of the 2026 season (Opening Day). "

[moonslav59]

For what it's worth, soxprospects.com has Casas, Houck, Crawford and Sandoval beginning the season on the IL. They project this opening day roster:

SP: Crochet, Gray, Bello, Oviedo, Harrison (2 weeks ago, they listed Crawford as the #5. I've seen Early listed there at other times.)

RP: Chapman, Whitlock, Slaten, Weissert, Hicks, Kelly, Watson & Moran (no remaining options)

C: Narvaez & Wong

1B: Contreras

2B: Mayer

SS: Story

3B: _______ (Acquisition)

LF: Anthony

CF: Rafaela

RF: Abreu

DH: Duran

Bench: Romy, DHam, Yoshida (Wong)

Others on 40:

Houck (to 60 Day IL once the season begins)

Crawford (IL) Sandoval (IL) Tolle, Early, Sandlin, Uberstine, Drohan, Bennett, Samaniento

Casas (IL) Campbell, Sogard, Eaton, T Gray

Counting Houck, that's 10 pitchers and just 5 everyday players on the farm and on the 40. It's nice that Contreras can cover the Catcher position for a few days, until we can find and add a 3rd Catcher to the 40, so that saves an opening day roster slot. Watson is Rule 5, so he will have to be sent back, if removed from the 26, unless via IL. Moran and Hicks are out of options: Kelly is not.

My guess is we make that 3B acquisition and trade or DFA a pitcher. We may also trade an OF'er- maybe with a pitcher for another player (3B/2B?) or pitcher (SP#2? or LH RP?). I don't see a 40 man roster crunch, and we can fill Houck's slot quickly, once the season starts, but when we get some players back from injury someone like Hicks, Moran or Watson will likely have to go. When Casas is ready, maybe we try to dump Masa or demote DHamor Yoshida.

[Larry Cook]

14 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

He had surgery in mid May 2025. Just about everything I read says this, but it seems doubtful:

"Extensive rehab, aiming for a return for the start of the 2026 season (Opening Day). "

In college, I tore my acl, mcl, pcl and the patella tendon (all on one play from scrimmage) and it was 18 months for the patella tendon to heal. 
two years without being able to play sports was very hard. 

[Larry Cook]

3 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

 

My guess is we make that 3B acquisition

Hence the push for Bregman. 
I think Tolle and early can also help as lefties in the bullpen. Especially after Moran flames out 
 

the hole in the rotation behind crochet is our biggest problem! 

[moonslav59]

56 minutes ago, Larry Cook said:

Hence the push for Bregman. 
I think Tolle and early can also help as lefties in the bullpen. Especially after Moran flames out 
 

the hole in the rotation behind crochet is our biggest problem! 

Why assume Moran flames out?

Did you see my breakdown on TOR NYY and BOS top 3 pitchers?

I'm also hoping we can add a number 2, but our 1-2-3 are as good or better than TOR & NYY. Our 6-9 SP'ers beat almost everyone's. Our 4-5 suffer, but they don't start in the playoffs, as you pointed out.

[notin]

20 hours ago, Larry Cook said:

In college, I tore my acl, mcl, pcl and the patella tendon (all on one play from scrimmage) and it was 18 months for the patella tendon to heal. 
two years without being able to play sports was very hard. 

Tore his ACL in college and Larry STILL hasn’t returned to MLB action!!

[notin]

20 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

For what it's worth, soxprospects.com has Casas, Houck, Crawford and Sandoval beginning the season on the IL. They project this opening day roster:

SP: Crochet, Gray, Bello, Oviedo, Harrison (2 weeks ago, they listed Crawford as the #5. I've seen Early listed there at other times.)

RP: Chapman, Whitlock, Slaten, Weissert, Hicks, Kelly, Watson & Moran (no remaining options)

C: Narvaez & Wong

1B: Contreras

2B: Mayer

SS: Story

3B: _______ (Acquisition)

LF: Anthony

CF: Rafaela

RF: Abreu

DH: Duran

Bench: Romy, DHam, Yoshida (Wong)

Others on 40:

Houck (to 60 Day IL once the season begins)

Crawford (IL) Sandoval (IL) Tolle, Early, Sandlin, Uberstine, Drohan, Bennett, Samaniento

Casas (IL) Campbell, Sogard, Eaton, T Gray

Counting Houck, that's 10 pitchers and just 5 everyday players on the farm and on the 40. It's nice that Contreras can cover the Catcher position for a few days, until we can find and add a 3rd Catcher to the 40, so that saves an opening day roster slot. Watson is Rule 5, so he will have to be sent back, if removed from the 26, unless via IL. Moran and Hicks are out of options: Kelly is not.

My guess is we make that 3B acquisition and trade or DFA a pitcher. We may also trade an OF'er- maybe with a pitcher for another player (3B/2B?) or pitcher (SP#2? or LH RP?). I don't see a 40 man roster crunch, and we can fill Houck's slot quickly, once the season starts, but when we get some players back from injury someone like Hicks, Moran or Watson will likely have to go. When Casas is ready, maybe we try to dump Masa or demote DHamor Yoshida.

I saw that.

 

Exactly how did Sandoval and Crawford get injured?  Hurt feelings from trade banter?

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, notin said:

I saw that.

Exactly how did Sandoval and Crawford get injured?  Hurt feelings from trade banter?

I doubt they got news none of us got.

They've shuffled our 5th starter so many times, I'm not sure what new information does that.

All-in-all, they do a fine job, though.

[Bellhorn04]

1 hour ago, notin said:

I saw that.

 

Exactly how did Sandoval and Crawford get injured?  Hurt feelings from trade banter?

Do we have to keep bringing up those terrible signings of yesteryear? 😉

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, Bellhorn04 said:

Do we have to keep bringing up those terrible signings of yesteryear? 😉

LOL.

We should stay away from those surnames!

[Hitch]

On 1/2/2026 at 8:05 PM, Larry Cook said:

In college, I tore my acl, mcl, pcl and the patella tendon (all on one play from scrimmage) and it was 18 months for the patella tendon to heal. 
two years without being able to play sports was very hard. 

Jesus! That is quite the list of injuries in one play!

[JoeBrady]

5 hours ago, Hitch said:

Jesus! That is quite the list of injuries in one play!

I want my Raiders to draft the guy that hit him.

[drewski6]

On 1/2/2026 at 9:51 AM, mvp 78 said:

Part of it is trying to move the ball faster and get the deal over sooner than later IMO. I don't think he wants a strict deadline, but don't believe he wants this dragging out until February.

Hes trying to get teams to submit something close to a best and final to know exactly who/what is on the table.  Not the very end and I agree, theres more time.

Its mostly posturing to advance the stage of various one on one trade talks between Dbacks and other teams

We see it all the time.

[vjcsmoke]

After losing out on the free agent power bats like Alonso and Bregman it feels like Ketel Marte is going to be the only viable option as a replacement.

It's gonna suck to lose one of our top prospects but it feels like ownership has pushed us into this corner. Say goodbye to at least one of Tolle or Early as that will be the minimum asking price in a package for Marte now.

[notin]

1 minute ago, vjcsmoke said:

After losing out on the free agent power bats like Alonso and Bregman it feels like Ketel Marte is going to be the only viable option as a replacement.

It's gonna suck to lose one of our top prospects but it feels like ownership has pushed us into this corner. Say goodbye to at least one of Tolle or Early as that will be the minimum asking price in a package for Marte now.

I had no idea the only 3 players in MLB that fit the Sox needs were Bregman, Alonso and Ketel Marte…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

39 minutes ago, notin said:

I had no idea the only 3 players in MLB that fit the Sox needs were Bregman, Alonso and Ketel Marte…

The Red Sox also need Witt, Henderson and Raleigh. But NOT Judge -- he makes too much money, and someday will become a washed up DH. Then Boston will be on the hook for an albatross contract that will choke our payroll... and, and, and... omg... won't allow us to SPEND!!!!!!

[Randy Red Sox]

56 minutes ago, vjcsmoke said:

After losing out on the free agent power bats like Alonso and Bregman it feels like Ketel Marte is going to be the only viable option as a replacement.

It's gonna suck to lose one of our top prospects but it feels like ownership has pushed us into this corner. Say goodbye to at least one of Tolle or Early as that will be the minimum asking price in a package for Marte now.

in case you didn't see it Marte is apparently off the market now

[notin]

6 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

The Red Sox also need Witt, Henderson and Raleigh. But NOT Judge -- he makes too much money, and someday will become a washed up DH. Then Boston will be on the hook for an albatross contract that will choke our payroll... and, and, and... omg... won't allow us to SPEND!!!!!!

Why is that the goal?

Bregman was a good player, but he hasn’t been among the truly elite players in years.  Alonso is a one trick pony that a lot of people were calling a “perfect fit” for Boston.

I’d take Bregman back, but he’s hardly indispensable.  And while power bats are nice, good ball players are more important (which is why I preferred Bregman over Alonso).

A year ago, Bregman wasn’t on the Sox radar at all (as far as we knew). And now his loss is devastating?  A year ago the Sox were the same “they don’t spend” team that dropped a $40mill AAV contract on a player in February.

So why do you think it won’t happen again?

 

[notin]

5 minutes ago, Randy Red Sox said:

in case you didn't see it Marte is apparently off the market now

I never believe that.  But I do believe it means “you want him? Impress me!”

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 minute ago, notin said:

A year ago, Bregman wasn’t on the Sox radar at all (as far as we knew). And now his loss is devastating?  A year ago the Sox were the same “they don’t spend” team that dropped a $40mill AAV contract on a player in February.

So why do you think it won’t happen again?

Because I'm a Red Sox fan.

That $40 million is now just the price of conveniently dumping another $300 million dollar contract.

Another answer -- in the form of another question -- if the Sox wouldn't spend $180 million on their lone All-Star position player and consensus perfect fit team leader and mentor, why in the world would they instead spend $100 million MORE ON Bo Bat Bichette?

(emphasis on MORE ON, which I'll gladly be, when they answer my question by spending to fill the gargantuan hole in the batting order)

 

[notin]

2 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Because I'm a Red Sox fan.

That $40 million is now just the price of conveniently dumping another $300 million dollar contract.

Another answer -- in the form of another question -- if the Sox wouldn't spend $180 million on their lone All-Star position player and consensus perfect fit team leader and mentor, why in the world would they instead spend $100 million MORE ON Bo Bat Bichette?

(emphasis on MORE ON, which I'll gladly be, when they answer my question by spending to fill the gargantuan hole in the batting order)

 

That’s not being a Red Sox fan - that’s being a conspiracy theorist.

The Sox didn’t sign Bregman - whose deal was potentially for $120mill - to dump Devers.  Per B-R.com, Devers had roughly $240mill left on his deal spread out over 7 years. (Maybe more if there are deferrals.) So you’re saying the Sox signed Bregman for up to $120mill over 3 years plus took on $25mill in Jordan Hicks in order to turn Devers into a selfish teammate and justify dumping him?  And save maybe $14mill per year for 7 years?

Is that the argument?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

17 minutes ago, notin said:

$ $o you’re saying the Sox $ $ $?

Is that the argument?

Red $$$$ox, no $$$$, but $$$$, what about $$$$, trade$$$$pend, Winter$, $pring. $$$$hhhh.

[moonslav59]

2 hours ago, vjcsmoke said:

After losing out on the free agent power bats like Alonso and Bregman it feels like Ketel Marte is going to be the only viable option as a replacement.

It's gonna suck to lose one of our top prospects but it feels like ownership has pushed us into this corner. Say goodbye to at least one of Tolle or Early as that will be the minimum asking price in a package for Marte now.

If we give up Tolle or Early, we better pick the right one.

I doubt involving a third team and Duran gets enough to go to AZ without giving up one of these two. I doubt they value Campbell and/or Casas highly enough to avoid giving one of them, as well. Giving Mayer might work, but then we still need a 3Bman.