BOSTON – As the Red Sox and their rabid fanbase learned in abrupt fashion last week, Pete Alonso is as far gone from the grasp of the Red Sox as the towering home runs he figures to hit for the Orioles over the next five seasons.
But this was never a Polar-Bear-or-bust offseason for Boston.
And the best way to do it would be with a player who does a lot more than just smash the ball out of the yard.
Enter Ketel Marte, who is being dangled in trade talks by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Not only does Marte come with a reasonable contract for a player of his caliber, but he plays a position the Red Sox have lacked stability at since that fateful night in Baltimore in 2017 when Manny Machado spiked Dustin Pedroia’s surgically-repaired left knee. Though Pedroia didn’t retire until prior to the ‘21 season, Machado unofficially retired him that night.
That night started a parade of people holding down second base for Boston. The cast included Ian Kinsler, Eduardo Nunez, Brock Holt, Michael Chavis, Jose Peraza, Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Marwin Gonzalez, Jose Iglesias, Trevor Story, Enmanuel Valdez, David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom, Romy Gonzalez and Kristian Campbell, among others.
Revolving door? That would be an understatement. And one that could change instantly if the Red Sox can match what Arizona is looking for in exchange for Marte.
What would Boston get in Marte? A 32-year-old switch-hitter who, even while bothered by a left hamstring injury last season, had a bWAR of 4.4 to go with a slash line of .283/.376/.517 with 28 doubles, 28 homers and 72 RBIs.
Just two seasons ago, Marte mashed 36 homers to complement a 6.8 bWAR. In that 2024 season, Marte ranked sixth among MLB second basemen with eight Outs Above Average. While that was down to one last season, much of that could probably be attributed to his balky leg.
To get Alonso, the Sox would have had to at least match the five-year, $155-million pact he signed with the Orioles. Reportedly, Boston was only interested in three years guaranteed, plus a club option.
Marte, a three-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2023 National League Championship Series, is on the books for the following base salaries through 2030: $15 million, $20 million, $22 million, $22 million and $22 million.
Though a report recently surfaced that Marte has a limited no-trade clause of five teams, including the Yankees, the Red Sox aren’t on that list.
Early in the 2026 season, Marte will achieve his 10-and-5 Rights, which means he earns the right to veto a trade to any club.
While D-backs general manager Mike Hazen doesn’t feel as if he has to trade Marte, this offseason is the time he could do it with the least restrictions in place while studying the overall foundation of his club.
The Red Sox are one of the few teams with depth to deal from on the pitching side and the position-player side.
After offseason acquisitions of Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, Boston has added to a rotation that already includes Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval and Kyle Harrison. There are also the two prospects who impressed instantly upon arrival in September and October in lefties Payton Tolle (the club’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and Connelly Early (No. 4).
While trading pitching prospects generally isn’t something executives — especially ones who think like Breslow — are keen on doing, Boston has sturdied up its foundation of pitching by loading up on arms in the past two MLB Drafts.
The next wave, led by Kyle Witherspoon, Marcus Phillips and Anthony Eyanson, might not be far behind.
Then there is the unique outfield situation. The Sox have four solid starting-caliber players in the fold, led by projected superstar Roman Anthony, former All-Star MVP Jarren Duran and two AL Gold Glove Award-winners from last season, Ceddanne Rafalea and Wilyer Abreu.
Anthony isn’t going anywhere. But Breslow could be compelled to move one of his other outfielders if it is for the right package.
Would Breslow be willing to part ways with either Campbell or Marcelo Mayer, two players part of the team’s vaunted Big 3 of prospects at this time a year ago? Campbell had a lot thrown at him in his rookie season and tailed off quickly before returning to the Minors in June. Mayer showed promise, particularly on defense, but he was once again unable to make it through the season healthy.
Breslow has mentioned needing to get uncomfortable at times to make a trade of high magnitude. Only he knows how uncomfortable he is willing to get.
But the one sure thing is that Marte would look very comfortable in the middle of the Boston batting order while giving the club some long-awaited stability at second base.
