Toronto Blue Jays among teams in trade talks with Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte at Winter Meetings

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported last month that the blue Jays had checked in on Marte, and it appears that they are in talks with him again as this years Winter Meetings kick off.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, The Blue Jays are among teams currently talking with the Diamondbacks about a possible Ketel Marte trade.

The 32-year-old has been one of the most productive players at his position over the past decade.

Marte finished fourth in NL MVP voting in 2019 and came in third in 2024. He's won the Silver Slugger award in back-to-back seasons.

Marte slashed .283/.376/.517 this past season. He topped 25 home runs for the third straight year.

Various injuries and absences led to Marte playing just 126 games, but he exceeded 550 plate appearances for the fourth consecutive year.

Outside of recurring hamstring problems in 2021, Marte has been remarkably durable during his nine seasons in Arizona.

The fit with the Blue Jays is interesting, due to their expected run at retaining franchise icon Bo Bichette.

Toronto already moved Andres Gimenez to Bichette's shortstop position during the playoffs, when Bichette was originally sidelined with a sprained PCL.

Even when Bichette returned in the World Series, he did so as a second baseman. Gimenez is a vastly superior shortstop defender, so if the Blue Jays do plan to re-sign Bichette, they could well do so with a permanent switch to second base in mind.

Marte is four years older than Bichette, but he'd also be markedly more affordable.

He's signed through 2031 for a total of $102.5MM, though the final season on his contract is an $11.5MM player option. Marte would be 37 for that 2031 season.

According to Morosi the Blue Jays are not on Marte's limited no-trade clause list, which means the Blue Jays could acquire Marte without his permission.