The landscape of the Major League Baseball offseason took an unexpected turn on December 16, 2025, when the Arizona Diamondbacks emerged as a serious contender for one of the winter's top free agents, third baseman Alex Bregman. This surprising development, reported by seasoned MLB insiders, has sent ripples through the market and is intrinsically linked to the future of Arizona's All-Star second baseman, Ketel Marte.
Insider Reports Spark Free Agency Frenzy
The buzz began when Jon Heyman of the New York Post took to social media platform X to announce that the Diamondbacks "are interested" in the 31-year-old infielder. Heyman highlighted this as a fresh twist in Bregman's free agency journey. Shortly after, Bob Nightengale from USA Today labeled Arizona a "surprise entrant in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes," confirming the team was actively exploring a potential signing.
Nightengale provided crucial context, explaining that the Diamondbacks would gain the necessary financial flexibility if they trade Ketel Marte. This move would allow them to shift their top prospect, Jordan Lawlar, from third base to second, thereby opening the hot corner for Bregman. Analysts from CBS Sports and NESN echoed this sentiment, noting that while the infield reshuffle is significant, it is a manageable strategy for a team looking to make a splash.
The Ketel Marte Trade Dilemma
Arizona's interest in Bregman is not happening in a vacuum. It is directly tied to ongoing trade discussions surrounding their star, Ketel Marte. Marte is under a substantial six-year, $116.5 million contract running through 2030, with $41 million of that sum deferred. Trading him would free up approximately $17.25 million annually for the Diamondbacks' payroll.
Reports indicate that the Boston Red Sox are leading the pursuit for Marte, with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners also in the mix. However, a deal is not imminent. WEEI's Rob Bradford reported that talks between Boston and Arizona were "nothing close," despite earlier momentum. The Athletic noted that Arizona is seeking a "superstar-type return" for the 2023 NLCS MVP, who holds the right to block trades to five specific teams.
NESN's analysis suggested that the pursuit of Bregman could actually accelerate Marte trade talks, potentially leading to a complex deal where the players' paths cross between the involved teams.
Diamondbacks Bolster Rotation for 2026 Push
Concurrent with these infield maneuvers, the Diamondbacks have been actively strengthening their pitching staff to support a competitive run. On December 10, they signed right-hander Michael Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million deal, which includes bonuses that could increase its total value to $9.5 million.
Just a few days later, on December 14, Arizona made a major move to bring back a familiar arm, agreeing to a two-year, $40 million contract with free-agent pitcher Merrill Kelly, pending a physical. Kelly, who was traded mid-season, will rejoin a rotation featuring Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, and Ryne Nelson. These signals point to a franchise preparing to contend seriously, potentially pairing a high-profile bat like Bregman's with a reinforced pitching lineup.
The sudden entry of the Arizona Diamondbacks into the Alex Bregman market has added a fascinating layer of complexity to this MLB offseason. With financial considerations, trade negotiations for Ketel Marte, and strategic roster construction all interlinked, the coming weeks could see one of the winter's most surprising and impactful transactions.
