Yankees Could Upend Baseball With This Blockbuster Trade

The New York Yankees definitely need to make some changes this offseason, particularly after watching the Toronto Blue Jays win the AL East, beat them in the ALDS and then come within two outs of winning a World Series.

The Yankees are still good as currently constructed, but it's pretty clear that this team needs a little bit more, and it would certainly behoove them to add another big bat.

While Kyle Tucker has been the hottest name, it's looking more and more like New York is prioritizing Cody Bellinger in free agency, which means Tucker won't be coming to the Bronx.

That means the Yankees could have to turn their attention to a trade, and perhaps the most obvious answer in that category is Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte.

The Diamondbacks are fielding offers on Marte, and the Bronx Bombers have been floated as a potential destination for the three-time All-Star.

Of course, like anything else, a deal would be somewhat complicated.

Why? Well, primarily because Marte plays second base, and the Yankees already have Jazz Chisholm manning the position. But what about sticking Marte over at third?

Marte is a terrific defender at second, which certainly requires more range than the hot corner. Yes, you need quicker reflexes to play third base, so it is an entirely different position. But typically, if you can play second base at a high level, you can play third effectively, as well.

And let's be honest: Marte is one heck of an offensive threat.

The 32-year-old slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs and 72 RBI over 556 plate appearances this past season. Two years ago, he slashed .292/.372/.560 with 36 homers and 95 RBI across 583 trips to the dish. He won Silver Slugger awards both seasons.

Lifetime, Marte owns an .823 OPS, and while the switch hitter is certainly more effective from the right side of the plate, he is also solid against right-handers, laying claim to a .785 OPS.

So, what would the Yankees have to do in order to acquire the Dominican native?

Well, Marte is under contract for six more seasons, including a player option for 2031. He is making an average annual salary of $19.1 million, which is a bargain for a player two seasons removed from a 6.3 WAR (he was at 4.6 in 2025). In fact, Marte is due just $28 million combine between 2026 and 2027.

Taking that into consideration, New York would probably have to pay a hefty price for Marte, even though he isn't exactly young.

Fortunately, the Yanks are loaded with prospects, ranging from position players like George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones to pitchers Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and Bryce Cunningham. You also have to figure that Jasson Dominguez, Will Warren and Luis Gil would be on the table in trade discussions, as well.

Just re-signing Bellinger won't be enough for the Yankees. Thanks to Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, New York would then just roll out the same lineup as 2025. You know, the one that was eliminated in the Division Series.

Acquiring Marte, however, would provide the Yankees with quite arguably the most lethal lineup in all of baseball, especially if they retain Bellinger. Imagine a heart of the order consisting of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Marte, Bellinger and Chisholm? Even Grisham smashed 34 home runs this past season.

There are definitely some hurdles for New York in terms of the logistics of landing Marte, but for a player as good as he is, you figure all that out once you bag him.