The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings begin this Sunday, and run through Wednesday, December 10 in Orlando, Florida, framing a busy stretch that includes the MLB Draft Lottery on Tuesday, December 9 and the Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday, December 10. In the buildup to the event, several outlets have floated and mocked up the idea of the New York Mets acquiring Ketel Marte in an off-season trade, creating a wave of trade speculation about whether a hypothetical blockbuster with the Arizona Diamondbacks could fit the needs of both clubs as they shape their plans for the 2026 season.
This proposed deal presents a structure that addresses the priorities of both clubs and mirrors the type of aggressive thinking that often defines the offseason. In the scenario, the Mets would weigh the idea of moving right-handers Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, along with infielder Ronny Mauricio, to meet the level of value the Diamondbacks would reasonably expect. For Arizona, the proposal highlights how a move of this scale could reshape their roster, reinforce a rotation in need of support, and open opportunities for emerging infield talent as they map out their next competitive phase.
For New York, the reasoning extends beyond simply filling a positional need. Even after trading for Marcus Semien, the Mets still lack a reliable long-term offensive anchor who can stabilize the order, and Marte offers a level of predictability they value. Semien can shift into a designated hitter role or rotate through the infield, but Marte’s switch-hitting ability, power from both sides, and consistent on-base production provide a level of certainty the Mets have chased for years. His skill set brings balance and stability to a lineup that has often struggled to find it.
For Arizona, it’s about timing and roster structure. The 32-year-old veteran remains productive, but his defensive trends and age suggest that moving him now could maximize return value before his contract escalates. With top prospect Jordan Lawlar ready to take over at shortstop and Geraldo Perdomo shifting to second, the Diamondbacks have a chance to reshape their up-the-middle defense while using a Marte deal to address their growing need for rotation depth.
Reports around the league suggest that the Diamondbacks’ front office, already eyeing rotation reinforcements, sees Sproat as a near-ready starter who could step in immediately. His fastball routinely touches triple digits, and his September debut hinted at future mid-rotation reliability. Tong, just 22-years-old, offers a blend of elite spin and movement metrics that the Diamondbacks analytics staff covets.
The Diamondbacks view this decision through a much wider lens than simple cost management. Marte’s contract rises from $16 million to $22 million annually by 2028, a significant commitment for a mid-market club assessing how to allocate resources over the next several seasons. Arizona prefers to act from a position of control rather than wait for age or defensive regression to diminish Marte’s value. With Corbin Burnes signed earlier in the offseason but sidelined after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025—a rehab process expected to keep him out for most, if not all, of the 2026 season—the rotation now lacks a dependable innings presence. Exploring a move during the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings gives the Diamondbacks a direct path to reinforce their pitching while creating future payroll flexibility to support the next phase of their roster.
Meanwhile, the Mets view Marte as a player who fits their immediate competitive timeline. Under David Stearns’ leadership, the front office has emphasized reliability and lineup balance, and Marte brings both. His ability to handle left-handed pitching and produce in key situations supplies the kind of Francisco Lindor lineup protection the Mets have lacked, preventing stretches where Lindor is left hitting in the wrong spots without support around him.
If this trade materializes, the Mets’ 2026 batting order would take on a far more defined shape even after moving Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers earlier in the offseason. Marte would slot into a premium spot near the top of the order, with Lindor and Pete Alonso forming the core behind him, giving New York a blend of contact ability, on-base skill, and middle-order power it struggled to maintain in recent years. For a team that has cycled through stopgaps at second base since Daniel Murphy’s departure, adding Marte would finally end that long-running instability and give the lineup a more coherent identity.
Financially, the deal works. The Mets can absorb Marte’s salary with ease, especially with owner Steve Cohen’s continued commitment to building a sustainable contender. The question becomes less about affordability and more about longevity—whether Marte can remain a steady contributor into his mid-30s.
Of course, both teams face their share of risk. For New York, the switch-hitter's history of leg issues remains a real concern, especially if his durability affects how they structure the lineup in a season where Alonso could be moving on in free agency. Any setback would force the Mets to rethink how they distribute offensive responsibility around Lindor. For Arizona, the uncertainty lies in the arms. Tong’s unusual mechanics and Sproat’s command still need refinement, while Mauricio must show that his knee can handle a full season as he works to regain his pre-injury rhythm.
Even with those uncertainties, the trade proposal offers a rare balance of logic and ambition for both clubs. The Diamondbacks can reshape their roster without a full reset, while the Mets add a proven veteran who strengthens their push for contention. With the Winter Meetings just days away, it stands as the kind of calculated move that fits the timing and direction of both organizations.
