Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen detailed injuries prompting trade talks for All-Star Ketel Marte but shut down discussions after subpar offers from four teams, speaking with Marte and eyeing Spring Training reunion amid Bregman budget hurdles.
The resolution came Friday as Spring Training looms, following yesterday's report on ending talks. Hazen notified teams over recent days that no deals advanced. "It never ended up getting that close," he reiterated. "Just sort of reaffirming... He's a superstar player for us... and is going to continue to be."
Hazen fielded pitching-focused offers from about four teams but deemed them insufficient. "There were deals we could have done, nothing that I would have done," he said, adding some viewed Arizona's price as excessive. This stemmed from injuries sidelining Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Corbin Burnes, Justin Martinez, and A.J. Puk for significant time next season.
Building on Marte's established excellence (three All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers, top-5 NL MVP finishes), Hazen phoned him post-notifications, planning a Spring Training sit-down. "He's a pro... going to be a top-10 MVP-performing player in the league next year, and it'll be fine."
Marte's retention strains pursuit of Alex Bregman—possibly via shorter terms—but preserves flexibility after Kelly and Soroka signings.
