Extension fever is rampant throughout MLB today, and Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte is now becoming a member of the frenzy.
In keeping with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, Marte and the Diamondbacks have agreed to a six-year, $116M extension, superseding a earlier extension that was set to run out on the conclusion of the 2028 season.
Marte, 31, is likely one of the greatest second basemen in all of baseball after his .932 OPS in 583 plate appearances last season resulted in a third-place end in Nationwide League MVP voting behind Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
The All-Star second baseman helps kind a potent core in Phoenix, together with outfielder Corbin Carroll, catcher Gabriel Moreno, slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez and a star-powered beginning rotation. Arizona is thus well-positioned to make a run on the playoffs in 2025 after barely lacking final season.
Maybe essentially the most surprising facet of Marte’s extension, although, is the common annual worth, which falls just under $20M per 12 months ($19.33M, to be precise). That is a cut price for a participant of Marte’s caliber, particularly when you think about that MLB’s highest-paid second baseman is the San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts at $25.5M per season. The Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve and the Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien are every on the $25M threshold for additional context.
Saving on a participant like Marte must also allow the Diamondbacks to additional reinforce its stacked roster this season — one thing they already completed throughout the winter after they signed right-hander Corbin Burnes to a long-term contract in what was considered as a shock signing.
