MLB Insider Reveals What Red Sox Need To Give Up In Ketel Marte Trade

The Boston Red Sox have been quiet in free agency, but they struck another big deal on the trade market on Sunday when they acquired Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. While the team has money to spend, it doesn’t seem like they are done on the trade market just yet.

One guy the team has continued to be linked to is Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte. Some reports have indicated that the team’s interest in Marte may be waning in the wake of the addition of Contreras, but he still is a player who would be a perfect fit in Boston.

The Diamondbacks’ posturing when it comes to their stance on a Marte trade has been a bit all over the place, but MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently revealed that they are motivated to move him. However, they won’t do so unless they receive young pitchers in return for him.

“The Diamondbacks want young pitching in return,” Rosenthal said on “Foul Territory.” “They aren’t going to trade him, I believe, unless they get that young pitching. But he’s a guy that they are seemingly motivated to move.”

After trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo earlier this offseason, Boston has a ton of pitching depth at its disposal, which would seemingly make it a perfect trade partner with Arizona for Marte. The question is whether or not the front office wants to sacrifice more of that depth in another blockbuster trade.

Contreras certainly fills a need at first base for the Red Sox, but this lineup still needs another big bat or two if it truly wants to emerge as a World Series contender. A Marte trade may not be as likely as it once was, but until he gets moved, he will likely continue to be linked to Boston.