Reds rumors linked to All-Star name are quietly dying and that’s great news for fans

If you were hoping to see the Cincinnati Reds pull off a blockbuster trade for Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte, prepare to be disappointed. Earlier this week, D-backs GM Mike Hazen stated that he's ready to move on from these lingering trade negotiations and get busy assembling Arizona's roster for the 2026 season.

“We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly," Hazen said. "We need to focus our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that [a trade of Marte] wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do.”

Now, as most fans know, you can never say never. But Hazen's comments seem to signal that a potential trade for Marte is all but dead. As such, it's time for the Cincinnati faithful to move on from the notion of Marte joining the Reds — an idea that didn't make a lot of sense to begin with.

Reds rumors linking Ketel Marte to Cincy are quietly dying and that’s great news for fans

No one is going to dispute that Marte's bat wouldn't look good in the middle of the Reds' batting order. The three-time All-Star has put up back-to-back seasons in the desert with an OPS above .890 and accumulated 51 home runs during that two-year stretch. The Reds would love to get their hands on that type of player this offseason.

But Marte's age, contract situation, and questionable clubhouse demeanor should be red flags. There's also the fact that Arizona is looking to trade their star infielder less than a year after signing him to an affordable extension. That seems rather odd, doesn't it?

Marte's also landlocked at one position (second base), and it just so happens that Cincinnati has a ton of middle infielders on the roster and in the pipeline. Cincinnati is hoping for a bounce-back year from Matt McLain, and have both Sal Stewart and Edwin Arroyo waiting in the wings in case that doesn't happen.

Arizona said to be seeking a king's ransom in exchange for Marte. Reports suggest the D-backs would require at least one top-of-the-rotation starter and two top prospects in order to move their All-Star infielder. For the Reds — a team that is relying heavily on their rotation next season and consistently builds from within — this seems like a non-starter.

There are other trade options available for Cincinnati this offseason, and given Hazen's comments, it's time for the Reds to start looking elsewhere anywhere if they hope to upgrade the roster.