{"id":111856,"date":"2026-01-10T22:06:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T03:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=111856"},"modified":"2026-01-10T22:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T03:06:18","slug":"where-rays-go-after-ketel-marte-off-trade-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/01\/10\/where-rays-go-after-ketel-marte-off-trade-market\/","title":{"rendered":"How Rays Can Pivot with Prime Trade Candidate Off the Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Rays are attempting to balance the present and future with regard to their roster. The three-team trade<\/a> that sent franchise stalwart Brandon Lowe<\/a> to the Steel City brought in a pair of talents. The Shane Baz<\/a> trade<\/a> with the Baltimore Orioles also brought back a haul of prospects that could lead the Rays to greener pastures.<\/p>\n

Taken together, the moves represent how the Rays are trying to thread the needle this winter. Now, a popular Rays trade target has been taken off the market, and the Rays are once again forced to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"Ketel
Sep 28, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How the Rays Pivot with Ketel Marte Staying in Arizona<\/h2>\n

A Snake is Off the Market<\/h3>\n

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte<\/a> will not be traded this winter. It had been trending this way for a while, but the Rays now officially need to pivot. The fit with Marte seemed amazing because of his team-friendly contract. Marte is owed $102.5 million over the next six seasons. The Rays weren’t on a list of five teams that he could block a trade to. On top of that, Marte is on the cusp of gaining ten-and-five rights, which would grant him full no-trade protection.<\/p>\n

\n

Ketel Marte will remain with the Diamondbacks, source tells @TheAthletic<\/a>. He will not be traded.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n