The annual Baseball Winter Meetings are currently taking place in Florida, with plenty of trade discussions heating up. Among the teams making headlines are the Toronto Blue Jays, who are showing interest in Arizona Diamondbacks’ standout infielder and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post has reported that the Blue Jays are actively engaged in talks with the Diamondbacks regarding Marte, but as of now, no major developments have emerged.
The Blue Jays are eyeing Marte to fill a gap in their middle infield, given that their longtime shortstop Bo Bichette is now a free agent and utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa is also exploring options in the market.
Marte, who has spent the past nine seasons with the Diamondbacks, has solidified his position as one of the league’s premier second basemen. With an impressive 15.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the last three years, Marte has showcased his talents, earning consecutive All-Star selections. In the 2025 season, he delivered 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a batting line of .283/.376/.517 over 126 games.
In 2024, Marte had a remarkable season, finishing third in the NL MVP race with a batting average of .292, 36 home runs, and 95 RBIs in 136 games.
Currently under contract until 2030 with performance-based salary bonuses, Marte holds a $11.5 million player option for 2031. His 2026 salary stands at $15 million, with the potential to increase by up to $5.5 million based on his on-field performance and MVP standings.
Aside from the Blue Jays, Marte has also drawn interest from their AL East rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
Toronto has been making significant moves this offseason, including signing starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a lucrative seven-year, $210 million deal with deferred payments. Additionally, the team is finalizing a three-year, $30 million agreement with right-hander Cody Ponce, pending a physical examination.
Notably, the Blue Jays have been linked to star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who recently visited their training facility in Dunedin, Fla. Tucker, aged 28, is anticipated to command a contract in the range of $300 million to $400 million.