Just a day before the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 8-2 victory over the Rockies in their four-game series, a report from The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro caught attention. It revealed that Ketel Marte’s “teammates and others in the organization have quietly grumbled about his propensity to ask for days off.” This sparked trade rumors, which intensified after a report from USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale stating that the Diamondbacks “will listen to offers on All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte this winter.” 

According to Piecoro, this is part of a broader pattern with Marte that began last season, when he “irked” some teammates by requesting a day off during the final week of the season while the team was still battling for a playoff spot.

Just yesterday, the sports reporter, Francys Romero, posted, “Ketel Marte hasn’t had any issues with teammates in Arizona or anything like that. The D-backs also aren’t planning to listen to trade offers at this time, per a source. Ketel’s agent, Charisse Dash, told me regarding these rumors: “None of that has happened; it’s all false,” on his X. Hours later, Marte himself addressed the media

On Monday, the 31-year-old, said he had initially planned to return to Phoenix right after the All-Star break but felt “frustrated” and “in a bad spot” upon learning that his Scottsdale, Arizona, residence had been burglarized during that time, according to his interpreter.

Nightengale also wrote, “Ketel Marte addresses the media saying his priority is playing hard and winning games for DBacks after criticism of taking too many games off, including two games off after All Star break.”

For the record, Marte signed a $116.5 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks earlier this season, securing his place with the team through 2031. This marks his third contract extension with the organization. Clearly shows why!

Torey Lovullo rallies behind Ketel Marte

In late June this year, during one of D-backs and White Sox games, a fan yelled something about Marte’s late mother, who passed away in 2017 owing to a car accident. Just like a dad, Lovullo consoled Marte. “I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,” Lovullo said via to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. “(I told him), ‘I love you and I’m with you and we’re all together and you’re not alone.’”

This time too, D-backs didn’t waste any time showing his support. “I know there’s an elephant in the room and I’ll just say what I want to say about it,” he said. “I know that Ketel talked to you guys and I’m proud of him for doing that. That’s not easy for him to do. I know he showed some vulnerability and I’m really proud of him for digging in the way that he did.”

The dugout also carried the same sentiment as the skipper. When the rumors started, players like Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Geraldo Perdomo openly backed Marte. This showed that the team sees him as an asset and not a liability.