According to MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, Baltimore and Arizona have already begun trade talks after the former already mentioned that outfielding is a priority for the team this offseason, especially after considering moving some of their infield depth to the outfield.
A trade for Marte could possibly include someone such as Jackson Holliday or Coby Mayo as part of the deal, unless they move Marte from second base to center field, where he has played before.
“It’s just a really strong infield group. I think we’re fine numbers-wise,” said Orioles Team President Mike Elias. “But it is something we’re talking to some guys about flexing out into the outfield so they could have more playing time.”
Meanwhile, their American League East division rival Blue Jays are also in talks to acquire Marte, according to multiple sources. A report from MLB insider Hector Gomez said that a four-year, $135 million extension would happen with the Jays following the trade, but no other sources have confirmed it at this time.
Marte still has three years left on his current six-year deal, including an $11.5 million player option in 2031 when Marte will be 37 years old. He's set to make $20 million in 2027, then $22 million the following two years.
A contract extension would restructure his current deal.
Toronto have been the face of interest in a lot of big-name free agents, including top Japanese prospect Teruaki Sato, who is coming off a Triple Crown-winning season in the Nippon Professional League with the Hanshin Tigers.
Marte, 33, was selected to back-to-back All-Star Games (2024-2025), earning a Silver Slugger Award in each season as well. This past year, Marte's stats took a dip.
He went from slashing .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs (126 games) in 2025 to .249/.316/.432 with 22 home runs this past season. He did put up 76 RBI, however, which would've ranked second on both the Orioles and Blue Jays.
Although some concerns around Marte's recent behavior bring caution to trade talks. During the 2026 season, Marte apologized to the team and manager Torey Lovullo after he went AWOL just minutes ahead of their August 17th matchup against the Boston Red Sox.
Pictures circulated online of Marte at a casino, where he later described in his apology that he was dealing with personal frustrations and a knee injury, stating, "It was a moment of frustration. I'm the type of person that when something's going on in my life, I don't like to talk about it. That morning I woke up, my body was in pain and I couldn't react. No one made the decision for me; I'm the one who made the decision not to show up."
Both Lovullo and Marte's teammates accepted his apology.
The wrench in possible trade talks for either team is that Marte has full no-trade control as part of his contract. According to Diamondbacks beat reporter Nick Piecoro, Marte has yet to give a list of teams he wouldn't accept a trade to.
Both Baltimore (79-82) and Toronto (79-83) finished at the bottom of the AL East last season, while the Diamondbacks just missed out on a playoff spot after going 86-76.
Marte has been part of the Diamondbacks in 10 of the 12 years he's been in the league. After starting his first two years with the Seattle Mariners, Marte became a star in Arizona, eventually finishing top four in National League MVP voting in 2019, then top three in 2024.
Since 2023, Marte is averaging 28 home runs, 81 RBI, 145 hits, and a .274/.355/.496 slash line. He has at least 20 home runs and 70 RBI in each of the last four seasons, making him one of the best-hitting second basemen in the league.
Whether it be the Orioles, Blue Jays, or another possible team, if Marte is dealt, then they will be adding an instant upgrade to their lineup.