A recent report has sparked heated debate among fans of the Seattle Mariners, suggesting the club came close to acquiring Ketel Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks — but ultimately balked at including top second base prospect Cole Young in the deal.
If true, the decision may represent a defining moment in Seattle’s pursuit of contention.
For years, Mariners fans have watched Marte’s career arc with a mix of admiration and regret. Signed and developed by Seattle, Marte debuted in 2015 as a 21-year-old phenom, posting a 2.2 WAR in just 57 games and flashing the dynamic skill set that made him one of the organization’s most exciting young players. But after a difficult 2016 season, he was traded to Arizona — along with Taijuan Walker — in exchange for Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger.
At the time, the move was defensible. In hindsight, it remains one of the most painful “what ifs” in franchise history.
Marte’s breakout came in 2019. That season, he erupted for a 6.9 WAR, 32 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a staggering .981 OPS. He finished fourth in National League MVP voting and earned his first All-Star appearance. The player Seattle once envisioned had fully arrived — just not in Seattle.
Though injuries limited him between 2020 and 2022, Marte has re-established himself as one of baseball’s most complete offensive second basemen. Since 2023, he has consistently produced at an All-Star level.
In 2023, he delivered a 4.9 WAR campaign with 25 home runs, 82 RBIs, and an .844 OPS, playing a pivotal role in Arizona’s run to the World Series. In 2024, he elevated his performance even further: 6.8 WAR, a career-high 36 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .932 OPS — finishing third in MVP voting and earning another All-Star nod.
Most recently, Marte posted a 4.4 WAR season in 126 games, launching 28 home runs with 72 RBIs and an .893 OPS, while starting the All-Star Game. For his career, he owns a .281/.351/.472 slash line with an .823 OPS — combining power, contact ability, and a relatively low strikeout rate.
In today’s game, that type of offensive production at second base is rare.
Financially, Marte is also attractive. At $18 million annually, he represents strong value for a player consistently producing 4.5+ WAR seasons. In an era where elite infielders command significantly higher salaries in free agency, his contract is widely viewed as team-friendly.
At 32 years old, Marte is not a long-term project — he is a win-now centerpiece. And that is precisely why teams part with premium prospects to acquire players like him.
The reported sticking point? Cole Young.
Young has long been one of Seattle’s most highly regarded prospects, praised for his advanced bat-to-ball skills, plate discipline, and defensive upside at second base. Many within the organization believe he could anchor the infield for years at a fraction of the cost of a veteran star.
For fans who have followed Young’s development closely, the idea of trading him would not come easily. Prospect attachment is real, particularly when the player embodies the future.
But championships are rarely won by clinging to potential over production.
Imagine a lineup featuring Marte, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Josh Naylor occupying the top four spots. That combination of power, on-base ability, and postseason experience would immediately transform Seattle’s offensive ceiling.
For a team that has hovered around contention but struggled with consistency at the plate, adding a proven MVP-caliber bat could have shifted the balance of power in the American League.
The Mariners have already made solid moves, including acquiring Brendan Donovan and continuing to develop their farm system. President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto has built a reputation for creative trades and long-term roster planning. There is no indication the organization acted recklessly or without careful evaluation.
And it is important to note: the report itself may not fully reflect the internal negotiations. Trade talks often collapse for multiple reasons — medical evaluations, financial offsets, or simply differing valuations.
Still, if Seattle declined to include Young and that decision cost them Marte, it invites a larger philosophical question.
Are the Mariners fully committed to maximizing their current championship window?
The team boasts elite pitching, anchored by a rotation widely regarded as one of baseball’s best. But postseason success often hinges on star power in the lineup — players who can change a game with one swing.
Marte is that kind of player.
Prospects are essential to sustained success. But history shows that when elite, controllable stars become available, contenders must be willing to pay the price.
The Mariners’ path forward now rests on whether they can extract equivalent production from within — or make another aggressive move before the window narrows.
If the goal is not merely to compete but to win a World Series — or at least appear in one — calculated boldness may be required.
Holding onto Cole Young could prove wise if he blossoms into an All-Star. But passing on an established MVP candidate is a risk of its own.
For Mariners fans who have waited decades for a championship breakthrough, the tension between patience and urgency has never felt sharper.
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