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Detroit Tigers insider Cody Stavenhagen believes that the AL Central team's reported interest in Ketel Marte is unrealistic due to their infield depth chart. Stavenhagen also thinks that Tigers are in the running for coveted free agent infielders, further alienating a trade for the Diamondbacks' second baseman.
Stavenhagen covers the Tigers for the Athletic. He shared his thoughts about MLB insider Bob Nightengale's report of the Marte trade on Wednesday's episode of "Tigers Territory" with co-host Kieran Steckley.
"I'm a little more skeptical of this report," Stavenhagen said (Timestamp: 22:27). "I think Ketel Marte is a very good player. I think he could make a ton of sense, except Gleyber Torres is coming back.
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" So, Gleyber Torres plays second base. Ketel Marte plays second base. Where would Ketel Marte play if you traded for him?" he questioned.
Torres was the primary second baseman for the Tigers last season, having signed a one-year, $15 million free agent contract. The 28-year-old slugger accepted the Tigers' $22.025 million qualifying offer on Nov. 18.
"You could move him around," Stavenhagen said. "He does have a utility history. I'm not sure he's been good at any of those positions other than second.
"He hasn't played much third, and you have Colt Keith, and you have Zach McKinstry, and you have Matt Vierling at third. And maybe you're still in on Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette. So that's all to say it would get complicated," he added.
Bregman and Bichette are among the best free agent infielders available this offseason. While Bichette played mostly as shortstop for the Blue Jays, many analysts believe his future lies at second base.
Similarly, Bregman is an All-Star third baseman. Though he played at the hot corner for the Red Sox last season, he was open to playing at second base if needed. Bregman will likely have to play there if the Tigers acquire him, thus hurting the chances of a Ketel Marte trade.
Tigers insider suggests a complicated trade idea to acquire Ketel Marte
In the same conversation on "Tigers Territory," insider Cody Stavenhagen also acknowledged that there is a chance that the Tigers could trade for Ketel Marte. He suggested two infielders as trade chips in the potential deal.
"You could still trade Gleyber Torres actually, or a Colt Keith," Stavenhagen said (Timestamp: 23:08). "But I think it would have to be a complicated trade, in which case I'm not sure if it's actually worth it. I think it made a lot more sense before you had Gleyber Torres for sure coming back."
Marte signed a six-year, $116.5 million contract extension in April. The deal runs through the 2031 season, and many fans and analysts believe it will be a bargain. As such, the 32-year-old second baseman is an attractive trade target for many teams.
