Why this hypothetical Yankees trade for Ketel Marte is laughable

Ahead of the upcoming MLB winter meetings in Orlando, there are plenty of trade rumors, possibilities and hypotheticals looming. However, one of those, involving the New York Yankees acquiring Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star infielder Ketel Marte, has virtually no chance of becoming a reality.

In a recent article for The AthleticAmong the 10 trades MLB insider Jim Bowden would like to see is a deal that sends Marte to the Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodríguez and second baseman Roderick Arias. Both are enabled New York’s Top 30 Prospecting List via MLB.com, rating Rodriguez as the third-best in the Yankees system and putting Arias at 20^e.

However, grabbing the 32-year-old Marte from Arizona with this deal is simply not going to happen for the Yankees.

As a reminder, there is no guarantee that Marte will be moved this season. If so, the price will be high for any team looking to add him to the lineup. These two prospects for the Yankees could be the start of a deal, but they certainly won’t be the whole package.

A look at the proposed Yankees side of the trade

With Rodriguez, while there is a lot to be said about the potential, he has made just one start above Double-A, posting a 7.20 ERA in that lone Triple-A start. MLB.com says of Rodriguez that “he will reach his starting ceiling in the middle of the rotation if he develops average control.”

Ranked third in the rankings, 22-year-old Rodriguez is considered the leader of the trade return. However, there are a lot of “ifs” that come with him, and would Arizona be willing to sign a permanent producer to the lineup signed for that through 2030? It’s also very likely he’ll need more time in the minor leagues before he gets his chance in Arizona, and the Diamondbacks are a team that needs to pitch now.

Remember, Marte is coming off a season where the veteran posted an OPS+ of 145 (league average is considered 100). It’s his second season with that number or higher, and his 4.4 bWAR was third-highest for Arizona last season.

If Arizona were to give up Marte, it would need a player who can provide an immediate impact.

Add in Arias, an infielder with an 88 wRC+ in Class-A last year and 25 errors (including 22 at shortstop), and the return feels very light. Arias will also likely need a significant amount of time in the minors before he can potentially contribute in Arizona.

Bowden says the deal would give Arizona “two top prospects” and free up a spot in the lineup for former first-round pick Jordan Lawlar, who has just 97 career at-bats with the Diamondbacks. These two perceived positives for the Diamondbacks (no matter how you view the definition of “top prospects”) are almost certainly not enough to entice the Diamondbacks to make a Marte deal.