logo
MLB Notebook: Blue Jays, Phillies, have checked in on Ketel Marte
alt
Photo credit: © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 25, 2025, 15:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 25, 2025, 15:23 EST
Comments
Could the best second baseman in baseball be moved this off-season?
Ketel Marte’s name has popped up in trade rumours this season. Two weeks ago, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks were “motivated” to move Marte. General manager Mike Hanzel noted that teams are going after the switch-hitting second baseman, but he did tell Jon Morosi the following day that it’s “mostly unlikely” that it’ll happen.
Well, Morosi noted on Tuesday morning that the Diamondbacks are actively listening to offers on Marte, which even Hanzel admitted. Curiously, Morosi noted that the Toronto Blue Jays have checked in (along with the Philadelphia Phillies), and that neither team is on Marte’s no-trade list.
Of course, this should be taken with a grain of salt, as is the case with most rumours in the off-season. It’d take a haul to land the 32-year-old, as he slashed .283/.376/.517 with 27 home runs in 556 plate appearances for a 145 wRC+. That’s coming off the back of a career year in 2024, when he slashed .292/.372/.560 with 36 home runs in 583 plate appearances.
Adding to the cost of landing Marte is the fact that he’s on a team-friendly deal. In 2025, his six-year deal worth $116.5 million began, and he will earn $16 million in 2026. He only has a five-team no-trade list, but will get his 10-5 rights early next season.
Trading for Marte would essentially put an end to Bo Bichette’s tenure with the Blue Jays as well.

Kyle Tucker rumours

Adding both Marte and Kyle Tucker would make the Blue Jays a favourite to win the World Series next season. The Blue Jays’ interest in Tucker is well documented, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan noting that the industry believes the Jays are the favourites.
Well, on Sunday, during an episode of Front Office show, Jim Bowden noted the Jays are in on Tucker, no surprise, but that president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins are “directly involved.” This rumour in particular should be taken with a grain of salt.
Adding Tucker would be huge for the Blue Jays. Last season, he slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs in 597 plate appearances, but played through a broken hand in the second half of the season. For his career, he’s slashing .273/.358/.507 with 147 home runs in 3,158 plate appearances for a 138 wRC+. He’s a true game-changing left-handed outfielder that the Blue Jays have sought for years at this point.

Yankees sign Yerry Rodríguez

Moving away from speculation and to actual transactions, the New York Yankees have signed former Blue Jay Yerry Rodríguez to a minor league deal.
Rodríguez was one of many relievers to pitch for the Blue Jays in their dismal 2024 season. His tenure didn’t last long, making just four appearances where he had a 15.43 ERA and 8.52 FIP in four and two-thirds innings pitched. For the 2024 season, the 27-year-old had an .872 ERA and 7.87 FIP in 21.2 innings pitched.
Rodríguez didn’t pitch last season due to an elbow injury, with his most recent action in the Dominican Winter League last winter.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Featured

News

Breaking News