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ORLANDO — Trade talks involving Ketel Marte picked up on the first day of baseball’s winter meetings, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said, though Hazen cautioned he still expects to keep his superstar second baseman through the winter.
“I’m still in the position that I feel like we’re going to end up in the same spot that we were coming into this,” Hazen said. “But we don’t know. I’ve said this before: I just feel like it’s my responsibility, our responsibility, to at least engage with (what) the market is saying to us and listen to what teams have to say. We’ll see where that goes over the next couple days.”
The week began for the Diamondbacks with their most significant move of the winter so far. According to a source, they have agreed to terms on a one-year, $7.5 million deal with free-agent right-hander Michael Soroka. Once he passes a physical and the deal becomes official, Soroka will slot into the Diamondbacks’ rotation.
Hazen declined to comment on the agreement, though he said he is looking to add multiple starting pitchers to his rotation this offseason.
The Diamondbacks’ motivation for moving Marte would be two-fold: He would, in theory, bring back a significant return, with starting pitching likely being a focus. Moreover, the club could then reallocate the money they would save from his $15 million salary this season, perhaps to add more pitching help.
Marte has as much as $102.5 million owed to him over the next six years, though a good chunk of that is deferred.
Marte has been connected to several clubs in various reports, including the Rays, Tigers, Red Sox, Mariners, Pirates, Phillies and Blue Jays. Sources with rival teams say the Diamondbacks’ asking price has been high, including asking for an established, well-regarded starting pitcher plus multiple other pieces in discussions with at least one club.
The Diamondbacks remain engaged in the free-agent relief market. Aside from their interest in right-hander Peter Fairbanks, the club has also shown interest in right-hander Pierce Johnson.
Johnson, 34, is coming off a strong two-year run with the Atlanta Braves, who last month declined his $7 million option for this season. Johnson posted a 3.05 ERA in 59 innings with 19 walks and 59 strikeouts for the Braves this season.
The Diamondbacks also showed interest in Johnson before he signed with Atlanta two offseasons ago.