The Arizona Diamondbacks just narrowly missed out on the 2026 MLB postseason, which means that they don't have to overhaul the roster to try and finally get over that hump. The what-if game, however, is dangerous for the Diamondbacks to play. After all, they might have gotten the two more wins they needed to quality for this year's postseason if it weren't for the sudden and unexplained absence from Ketel Marte, the slugging infielder.

Now, it looks as though the Diamondbacks are looking to put up a more conscious effort to trade Marte away after a drama-filled 2026 campaign. However, MLB insider Jim Bowden warned Arizona that it might not be very easy to trade the 33-year-old away, especially when he has a no-trade clause.

“If he decides that he doesn't want to get traded, then he won't be,” Bowden said. “You gotta find a team that not only that he's willing to go to, but you gotta find a front office, a GM, a manager, and a group of players that are willing to accept all the things that come with Ketel Marte, which includes times where players, some teammates, have been disappointed that he didn't take the field.”

Trading Ketel Marte is A LOT easier said than done.@JimBowdenGM breaks down the no-trade clause, the contract, and everything a team would have to weigh before making a deal. pic.twitter.com/IJWNBJxihC

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 2, 2026

Marte missed the Diamondbacks' August 17 clash against the Boston Red Sox despite being penciled into the starting lineup, and this absence of his stunned the organization. He would miss 13 consecutive games for the Dbacks in the middle of a postseason push, and during this stretch, Arizona went 7-6.

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Marte has at least four more seasons left on his contract for a total of $77.5 million in guaranteed money, and he has a player option for $11.5 million in 2031, when he's entering his age-37 campaign.

Coupled with his decline in production (his OPS of .748 in 2026 is down from his .893 OPS in 2025), the Diamondbacks may have to eat a portion of his contract to find him a new home, provided, of course, that he waives his no-trade clause.