The Boston Red Sox are off to a slow start, and the team could make a bold move to try to spark the team.
Boston had hopes of competing for not only the playoffs, but the AL East title this year. However, the Red Sox have gotten off to a slow start, and MLB analyst Shaan Donohue of Just Baseball predicts the team will acquire Ketel Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Red Sox acquire:
- Ketel Marte
Diamondbacks acquire:
- Payton Tolle
- Franklin Arias
- Mikey Romero
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Boston would acquire Marte to bolster the lineup for three top prospects. The Red Sox would give up their first, second, and 13th-ranked prospects for Marte.
Boston would be going all-in by acquiring Marte, who’s in the midst of a five-year, $76 million deal that ends after the 2028 MLB season. Marte is a three-time All-Star second baseman and would also bolster the offense. He’s a three-time MLB All-Star and was NLCS MVP in 2023, as well as a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
In return, the Red Sox would give up three top prospects, led by Tolle, who’s the team’s top prospect. Tolle could join the Diamondbacks’ rotation right now. He went 0-1 with a 6.06 ERA in 7 games, including 3 starts last season.
Arias, meanwhile, is the second-ranked prospect, and the shortstop projects to reach the majors in 2027. He’s currently in Double-A and is hitting .467 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs to begin the season.
Romero, meanwhile, is a utility infielder who could play in the MLB right now and be a bench option for Arizona. The 2022 first-round pick is in Triple-A and doesn’t have a clear path to playing time in Boston.
Analyst Explains Red Sox-Diamondbacks Swap
The proposed Red Sox-Diamondbacks trade would be a blockbuster.
Donouhe, meanwhile, admits it likely is an overpay for Marte, but something the Red Sox could do amid their slow start.
“Boston and Arizona already circled each other on Marte talks this past winter, so we know there’s at least a baseline level of interest here,” Donohue wrote. “Is this an overpay? Probably. …
“From Boston’s perspective, this is exactly the type of move that stabilizes a lineup that is currently taking too many non-competitive at-bats. Marte immediately becomes the best hitter on the team and gives them a legitimate middle-of-the-order anchor. That’s something they just don’t have right now. If you believe this roster still has postseason aspirations, this is the kind of swing the Sox have to take.”
Marte would help turn around the Red Sox’s offense and show Boston is all-in this season.
Boston Tried to Acquire Marte in Offseason
The Red Sox trading for Marte isn’t out of the picture, as Boston tried to acquire him this offseason.
Marte’s name came up in trade talks, and the Red Sox were one of the teams that were heavily linked to him. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers, Pirates, and Rays were all in on Marte.
However, the Diamondbacks opted not to trade Marte during the Winter Meetings. But, there is a chance Arizona could trade him during the season if the haul is right.
Mock Trade Sees Red Sox Acquiring Ketel Marte in 5-Player Blockbuster