The Houston Astros showed their aggressiveness at the 2025 trade deadline, as they landed Carlos Correa, picking up $70 million and three years of his deal from the Minnesota Twins.
Thanks to Dana Brown and owner Jim Crane, the Astros were able to swing a huge deal at the trade deadline. But a new trade target emerged after a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today came out on Sunday, and they’d cost a ton to land.
Chris Landers of Fansided.com linked the Astros as one of three teams that should “pounce” on the opportunity to trade for Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
Why Houston Should Target Marte
“At this point, it seems like the Astros would like to avoid putting Jose Altuve at second base on a full-time basis if they can avoid it.” Landers writes. “Marte wouldn’t come cheap, but he would fit beautifully in the infield alongside Christian Walker, Jeremy Pena, and Carlos Correa and offer some insurance in case Isaac Paredes’ hamstring injury lingers.”
Adding a player of Marte’s caliber would be an incredible opportunity for any team. For Houston, there might be no better fit than Marte, if he were available.
At the 2025 trade deadline, the Astros were looking to add a left-handed-hitting second baseman. Marte is not only a lefty bat, but he’s arguably the best second baseman in baseball.
While the infield would become crowded, and the Astros might have to move on from one of Christian Walker or Isaac Paredes, getting Marte would be worth it.
The 31-year-old slugger has three All-Star appearances, including back-to-back appearances in 2024 and 2025. In his 11th year in the Majors, Marte has reached 1,239 hits, 262 doubles, 43 triples, 166 home runs, and 571 RBIs.
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This season, he has a .297 batting average and a .952 OPS. His 160 OPS+ is also the best it’s been in his career, further emphasizing how much of a great pick-up he’d be for Houston.
If the Astros could find a way to land him in a deal, which is incredibly unlikely despite the rumors that began from Nightengale’s report, they would have him for the next few years.
Marte is signed through the 2030 season on a six-year, $105 million deal. He also has a 2031 player option. But, with five years of control, the Astros would have a new second baseman for the majority of their window with this core of players.
It won’t be cheap, but the Astros should be willing to pay the price to land Marte. Arizona likely won’t trade Marte, but amid the baffling trade rumors, it’s something to monitor as a potential huge addition for the Astros in the offseason.
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