Rumored Red Sox target Ketel Marte reportedly won’t be traded. What does it mean for Boston’s Alex Bregman pursuit?

Boston Red Sox

The Diamondbacks have been rumored as a potential landing spot for Bregman.

By Conor Roche

January 9, 2026 | 4:01 PM

2 minutes to read

The Red Sox can cross another big-name bat off their list of offseason targets, but it could help their chances of retaining Alex Bregman.

All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte won’t be traded by the Diamondbacks this offseason, The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal reported Friday. However, Arizona will likely pursue additions to its bullpen and at first base over potentially signing Bregman, Rosenthal added.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen also told MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert that the team likely doesn’t have the financial flexibility to add a premium free agent if it still had Marte’s contract on the books.

The Diamondbacks have been rumored as a potential landing spot for Bregman, although it was believed that they would only sign the Red Sox star if they were able to trade Marte.

Marte, meanwhile, had been linked to the Red Sox as a trade target since the Winter Meetings in December. It had been reported that Boston had shown interest in Marte as Arizona sought young pitchers for the three-time All-Star. Infielder Marcelo Mayer had also been speculated as a possible player the Red Sox would’ve had to give up for Marte.

Marte has arguably been the best second baseman in baseball over the last few seasons. The switch-hitter logged a .283 batting average with 28 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a .893 OPS in 2025.

The Red Sox still appear to be searching for some right-handed hitting help, even after trading for first baseman Willson Contreras in late December. But they might need to fill that need via free agency. Shortly after the trade for Contreras, The Boston Globe‘s Alex Speier reported that the Red Sox’ “primary targets” were Bregman, Blue Jays free agent Bo Bichette, Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, and Marte.

Bregman and Bichette are arguably two of the three best free-agent hitters, but questions remain about their respective markets. The Blue Jays made a big free-agent infield addition when they signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto last week, leaving some to wonder if Toronto could still be a landing spot for Bregman or Bichette.

Beyond the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Diamondbacks, the Cubs and Tigers are also among the teams pursuing Bregman, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported earlier in January. Boston has made an “aggressive offer” to try and retain Bregman, though, ESPN’s Buster Olney recently reported.

As for Bichette, the Red Sox gained some more competition to potentially land him this week. The Phillies have emerged as a suitor to land the two-time All-Star and are set to meet with Bichette sometime soon, The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reported Thursday.

If the Red Sox end up signing one of Bregman or Bichette, they’ll almost certainly be a luxury tax team in 2026 and could cross the second luxury tax threshold. They currently have $242.9 million committed salary for 2026, per Red Sox Payroll on X, which is roughly $1 million shy of the luxury tax threshold and $21 million short of the second luxury tax threshold.