Why D-backs' Ketel Marte is Now Quietly In Control of His Own Future

On Friday, Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte officially reached 10 years of service time in the major leagues.

The 10-year mark is a major achievement for any MLB player, with careers so often cut short. Marte, despite dealing with his fair share of injuries over the years, has played in 1,237 major league games over parts of 12 seasons with the Mariners and Diamondbacks.

Time is flying, but he's the pilot. pic.twitter.com/j8GXLLLHQ0
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 3, 2026

10 of those have been in Arizona, after he was traded to the D-backs ahead of 2017

But what the milestone means, perhaps more than anything, is that Marte now controls his own future in Arizona. Arriving at the 10 year marker, Marte's 10-and-5 rights have kicked in. Meaning, he is now able to veto a trade to any of the other 29 MLB teams, and for any reason.

Ketel Marte's no-trade clause kicks in

Mar 28, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

10-and-5 rights go to a player who has reached 10 years of service time, and who has also spent each of the past five seasons with the same organization. Marte, with the 10-year requirement now valid, now fulfills both of those requirements.

Perhaps that was part of the reason behind such a vast and intense cycle of trade rumors this offseason. Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen was not secretive about listening to offers on his three-time All-Star.

There were also swirling reports mid-2025 that there was some frustration within the organization directed at Marte, in particular for his unexcused absence post All-Star break. Those relationships seem to be mended, however, with no apparent lingering effects of that conflict.

And ultimately, no team was able to offer the package Hazen was looking for, and Marte was ultimately pulled off the trade market. Marte did already have a limited no-trade clause, but 2026 is now likely the last realistic session of those rumors. Marte never wanted to leave.

Over his career with the D-backs thus far, Marte has amassed nearly 33 aWAR (average WAR of Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs). He's hit .282/.357.492 with 169 home runs in Arizona.

He's started in the All-Star game twice, won NLCS MVP on the way to the World Series in 2023, and has won back-to-back silver slugger awards. He appears to be only getting better with age.

Not to mention, Marte is on one of the friendlier star contracts in baseball. He signed a six-year, $116.5 million extension (with $46 million deferred) that will keep him in Arizona through at least the 2030 season, with a $11.5 million player option for 2031. He will make only $16 million in 2026 and $12 million in 2027.

"Arizona's my home. What Arizona does for me and my family, I'm so grateful. I'm not... Dominican anymore. I'm from Arizona now," Marte told reporters in 2025 after winning the All-Star fan vote.