Reds were just saved from a trade that would've haunted them for years

Cincinnati Reds fans can now check Ketel Marte off their offseason wishlist — if he was even on there to begin with. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Marte will remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks and will not be traded this offseason.

The Reds were one of the teams linked to the D-backs All-Star throughout the offseason, but it would appear that Arizona never found a suitor for Marte and now plan to carry him on their roster in 2026.

While adding Marte's bat to the middle of the Reds' batting order could have brought some much needed pop to a lineup that's starved for power, the fit was always suspect. Marte's reputation in the clubhouse notwithstanding, his only viable position is second base — a spot currently occupied by Matt McLain — and he's owed $106 million over the next five seasons with a team-option for 2031.

Reds dodge a bullet after D-backs halt trade plans for Ketel Marte

Marte will be entering his age 32 season in 2026, meaning he'll be 37 years old when his contract finally expires. The last time Cincinnati had an aging star on a long-term deal, Joey Votto was barely hitting above the Mendoza line and looked like a shadow of the six-time All-Star Reds fans knew and loved. The Cincinnati faithful don't want to see that again.

With Marte off the table, Reds fans are hoping president of baseball operations Nick Krall and the front office turn their attention to other ways they can improve the roster. Luis Robert Jr. is still available, though his injury history makes him a risky trade candidate. A free agent pickup like Eugenio Suarez would certainly excite the fans in the Cincinnati, but the Reds have yet to show any interest in a reunion.

To date, the only offensive additions the Reds have made to the roster are JJ Bleday and Dane Myers. While both outfielders raise the floor, neither possesses the type of power the Reds' lineup is lacking.

With most of the Reds' arbitration cases put to bed, Cincinnati's front office and ownership have a better understanding of the budget heading into next season. The Reds' frozen payroll makes a trade more likely than a free agent splash, but fans are just looking for signs of life at this point. Adding Marte may not have been the right move, but the Reds can't just sit back and do nothing.