The Yankees never seemed to be real players for Ketel Marte, but any small potential of acquiring him has another hurdle.
The Diamondbacks star has the Yankees among five teams on his no-trade list, along with the Athletics, Pirates, Giants and Cardinals, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Monday.
Marte is one of the top position players who could be dealt this offseason, with six years and $102.5 million remaining on his contract.
And while the 32-year-old second baseman could always waive the no-trade clause, the Yankees do not appear likely to be involved for him as they try to find ways to improve their roster while keeping their payroll in check, if possible.
The switch-hitting Marte, who hit .283 with 28 home runs and a .893 OPS last season, would help the Yankees become more balanced in their lineup instead of too left-handed.
But it would almost certainly mean trading Jazz Chisholm Jr., who the Yankees have gotten calls on as he enters the final year of his contract, with an extension not expected to happen.
“He’s somebody who I think is currently part of the solution, someone who’s made us better by getting him two deadlines ago, giving us athleticism,” GM Brian Cashman said of Chisholm at the winter meetings.
“He’s an All-Star second baseman, great defense, can steal bags, power, all that stuff. He’s been a good get. But again, the collection of all – whether it’s third base, second base, first base, catcher, center field – they’re all left-handed. We will be open-minded. But again, my default is these are all individually good players.”
