In MLB, every team goes through rough patches on the field. But often the bigger challenge lies behind closed doors—inside the clubhouse. Managing personalities, resolving disagreements, and keeping a unified front can be just as important as managing lineups or pitching staffs. For instance, the Yankees are currently feeling the weight of such struggles, but they aren’t alone. Reports are now surfacing out of Arizona, where the D-Backs appear to be dealing with their internal friction. And at the center of it all is their star slugger, Ketel Marte.

Well, not long ago, Marte was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons—an incident involving a fan and difficult memories tied to his late mother. If you remember, at that time, the entire D-Backs clubhouse rallied around him. But if the latest rumors hold any truth, that same support system may be starting to crack. And that leaves Marte at odds with teammates who once had his back.

“Some players on the Diamondbacks are frustrated with second baseman Ketel Marte for his tendency to miss games. Most often, that appears to be due to health, though a situation around the All-Star break where Marte was absent from the club was also seemingly a source of discontent.” MLB Trade Rumors quoted Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

Marte, a 3x All-Star and the 2023 NLCS MVP, has had a bit of a rocky stretch this season when it comes to availability. He recently missed three games after stepping away from the team following a burglary at his home. And in total, the 31-year-old second baseman has played 90 of the team’s 123 games. And some of his absences were tied to hamstring and groin issues.

However, what really raised some eyebrows, though, was when Marte asked to sit out the final game before the All-Star break. And only to suit up for the All-Star Game itself. Around then, it was reported that his time away from the club, although connected to the break-in at his Arizona home, but he actually spent most of that time in the Dominican Republic.

And all of this has come while teammate Corbin Carroll has been gutting it out with a broken bone in his hand. That contrast alone has sparked some frustration in the clubhouse. Players are wondering if Marte’s getting a bit of special treatment.

“I was unaware of the timing of the break-in. I was unaware of what the intentions were, what plane he was on. And I just became aware of him not being ready to play a baseball game on the day, on the morning, afternoon of our first baseball game.” D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo answered when asked about Marte’s request for leave before the All-Star break.

Now that sounds surprising when the team’s elite slugger is missing the game and the manager seems to have no clue about that. So, something is brewing in the D-Backs clubhouse!

The Mets might come as a saviour for the D-Backs here

So, it’s pretty clear at this point that the D-Backs’ clubhouse isn’t thrilled with how the team has been handling Ketel Marte. And the manager’s recent comments probably won’t help smooth things over. Still, when you look at Marte’s numbers this year—a strong .296/.398/.557 slash line—it’s no mystery why the D-Backs are giving him a little extra leeway. He’s been one of their best bats.

But now the Mets are lurking. FanSided’s Chris Landers recently suggested New York should make a push for Marte this offseason if the D-Backs are even slightly open to moving him. Well, the Mets need a cost-controlled infielder, and Marte fits the bill perfectly. A star with reliable defense and a dangerous bat when he’s healthy. Plus, New York has both the money and the prospects to pull it off.

Right now, a deal feels like a long shot, but the landscape could shift quickly once the offseason kicks in. If Arizona decides to shake up its roster, Marte could be one of the biggest names on the move. And honestly, that might be a win-win! How?

The Mets would land a difference-maker, and the D-Backs would ease the tension of managing clubhouse dynamics around Marte. That said, time is ticking. The D-Backs can’t afford to let this uncertainty linger. The front office needs to make a firm decision soon. Either fully commit to Marte as a cornerstone or explore trade options before the offseason heats up.

The longer they wait, the harder it will be to keep both Marte and the clubhouse on the same page.