Near the top of the list of prospective Boston Red Sox trade targets is Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte. The reliable second baseman has been in the thick of trade rumors all offseason and clearly would bring a much-needed boost to the Boston lineup. There has been a level of frustration among Red Sox fans with an organization whose biggest move is bringing in starter Sonny Gray. While this was a solid addition, it is far from addressing the myriad of needs of a roster on the fringes of serious contention.
Adding Marte would unquestionably tilt the scales on this and offer Boston the type of splashy offseason win the fan base so badly needs. Hopes of this were given a boost this week with Marte's no-trade list leaking. Red Sox fans will love the fact that, among the five teams that Marte's contract allows the infielder to block, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, is the New York Yankees. The San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Athletics complete the list of teams unable to add Marte.
Ketel Marte Does Red Sox a Favor by Adding Yankees to No-Trade List
While Red Sox fans are likely thrilled that their team isn't on Marte's list, the fact that it blocks a hated division rival from stealing Boston's potential move makes it even better. The last thing the Red Sox would want is for them to strike out with the Diamondbacks, only to have the Yankees swoop in to steal Marte's services.
Now, that's no longer a possibility, regardless of what happens next.
Marte is an accomplished hitter who's slashed .281/.351/.472 with 171 home runs, 587 RBIs, and a 35.6 WAR throughout his 11-year career. In Fenway, the veteran's power numbers would likely take a boost as well, based on the layout and the tendencies of Marte to pull the ball. Benefitting from the Green Monster, it is easy to imagine that the infielder could become a .300 hitter while maintaining his current power numbers, especially since he's already batting .304 in 23 career at-bats at Fenway Park as a visitor.
This helps paint a picture of why the Red Sox should be ultra-focused on landing Marte, who already has a built-in distaste for the Yankees and is exactly the type of bat this lineup is lacking. There should be a far higher sense of urgency to finalize a deal and improve a roster that is on the fringes of being a true contender.
Last season served as evidence of this, with the front office trading away Rafael Devers and still making the postseason field. The Red Sox need to make at least one blockbuster move to have a chance to take a meaningful step forward. Adding Marte would unquestionably qualify and is an addition that fans would be excited for based on the clear need to add a bat to the top of the Boston lineup.
And if a potential trade manages to upset the Yankees, even better.