NEW YORK — The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially removed Ketel Marte from the trade market. That decision sends ripples across Major League Baseball. It also puts the New York Yankees in an interesting spot regarding their own All-Star second baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Jan. 9 that Arizona will not deal Marte. General manager Mike Hazen confirmed the team fielded offers all winter but never received a package worth breaking up their infield.
The timing matters for the Yankees. With Marte staying in Arizona, teams hunting for second base help must look elsewhere. Chisholm suddenly becomes one of the most attractive options available.
Cashman remains open to dealing Chisholm
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has not shut the door on trading Jazz Chisholm. He addressed the rumors during the Winter Meetings in December.
“He’s somebody who I think is currently part of the solution, someone that’s made us better by getting him two deadlines ago and giving us athleticism,” Cashman said, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “He’s above-average. He’s an All-Star second baseman, great defense, steals bags, power — all that stuff. He’s been a good get. We will be open-minded.”
The phrase “open-minded” caught attention around the league. ESPN’s Jeff Passan also reported that the Yankees have “listened” on Chisholm. Multiple teams have called about the 27-year-old.
Marte off the market changes everything
Marte was widely considered the premier second baseman available via trade. The 32-year-old hit .283 with 28 home runs and an .893 OPS in 126 games last season. His contract runs through 2030 with reasonable annual salaries.
The Diamondbacks explored deals with several clubs. The Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Blue Jays, Phillies and Mariners all showed interest. None offered enough to sway Hazen.
“My gut this whole time was that a trade wasn’t going to happen,” Hazen told MLB.com. “We need to focus our offseason.”
With Marte staying put, Chisholm moves up the list for teams seeking middle infield upgrades. The San Francisco Giants need power at second base. The Detroit Tigers could lose Gleyber Torres to free agency next winter. The Seattle Mariners already lost Jorge Polanco to the Mets.
Yankees weighing multiple factors in trade decision
Chisholm just signed a one-year, $10.2 million deal with New York to avoid arbitration. He enters his final season before free agency. That timeline puts pressure on both sides.
The Yankees have not shown interest in extending Chisholm. Cashman said the organization’s approach is to “let these things play out, for better or worse.” That stance suggests New York will ride out the final year rather than commit long-term money.
Trading Chisholm could bring back pitching help. The Yankees need rotation depth with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt all recovering from elbow surgeries. Names like Freddy Peralta from Milwaukee and Casey Mize from Detroit have surfaced in trade discussions.
The Brewers reportedly want a young, major league-ready player in any Peralta deal. Chisholm fits that description perfectly. Milwaukee lacks power hitting and could use his bat in the middle of their lineup.
Chisholm delivered big numbers in 2025
Chisholm became just the third player in Yankees franchise history to post a 30-30 season. He belted 31 home runs and stole 31 bases while slashing .242/.332/.481. His 126 wRC+ ranked among the best at his position.
However, questions remain about his consistency. Chisholm struck out at an above-average rate. He committed 18 errors at second base, well above Marte’s six. The boom-or-bust nature of his game concerns some evaluators.
Marte offers a more complete package statistically. His .283 average tops Chisholm’s .242 mark. Marte’s .376 on-base percentage beats Chisholm’s .332 figure. The gap in OPS sits at 80 points in Marte’s favor.
Yet Chisholm brings speed and athleticism that few can match. His energy fits the bright lights of Yankee Stadium. He won the Silver Slugger Award and earned his second All-Star selection in 2025.
Bo Bichette connection adds another wrinkle
The Yankees have shown interest in free agent Bo Bichette. The former Blue Jays shortstop could move to second base in New York. Signing Bichette would make Chisholm expendable.
“Dealing Chisholm to address other needs and then signing Bichette to replace him isn’t out of the question for the Bronx Bombers,” MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan wrote.
Bichette hit .311 last season. That average ranked second in the majors behind only Aaron Judge. He brings a right-handed bat to a Yankees lineup that Cashman admits is “too left-handed.”
The cost would rise significantly. Bichette could command $25 million or more annually. Chisholm earned just $10.2 million this year. New York would need to add roughly $15 million to their payroll to make the swap.
Clock ticking on Yankees roster moves
Spring training opens next month. The Yankees remain the only AL East team without a major offseason acquisition. Boston signed Alex Bregman. Baltimore landed Pete Alonso. Toronto made several additions.
New York’s patience could prove costly. Chisholm’s value sits at its peak right now. Waiting until the trade deadline reduces the return if the Yankees eventually deal him.
The Marte decision removes a major competitor from the second base market. Teams that missed out on the Diamondbacks star will pivot their focus. Chisholm represents the next-best option for clubs willing to pay the price.
Whether Cashman pulls the trigger remains uncertain. The Yankees could keep Chisholm for one final run. They could also cash in while his stock soars. The next few weeks will reveal which path the front office chooses.
What do you think?
