Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks Agree to Six-Year Contract Extension
Agrating a six-year, $116.5 million contract extension with star second baseman Ketel Marte, the Arizona Diamondbacks have locked in one of their franchise cornerstones. Restructuring his current contract, the agreement guarantees Marte will stay in Arizona at least until the 2030 season.
Sources familiar with the transaction claim that the new contract gives the five-year, $76 million contract Marte originally signed three more years to run through 2027 with a team option for 2028. Apart from adding extra years, this extension greatly increases the overall financial worth, ensuring Marte an extra $64 million and maybe raising the entire value to $149.5 million if specific performance incentives are satisfied. Marte has flexibility in 2031 thanks to a player option allowing him to either test free agency at that point or keep his career in Arizona.
Marte, 31, comes off one of the best seasons of his career. Hit. 292 across 136 games in 2024, delivering career-high marks with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs. His exceptional performance confirmed his position as a major leader on the Diamondbacks’ roster and resulted in a third-place finish in the National League MVP contest.
Marte has gotten MVP attention before this as well. He also completed fourth in the voting back in 2019, proving his long-term worth to the club. Twice an All-Star, Marte has always been among the most flexible and effective players in the league, able to cover both infield and outfield roles as needed.
Originally signed by the Seattle Mariners, Marte made his MLB debut in 2015 and lasted two seasons in Seattle before being sent to Arizona in a multi-player transaction following the 2016 season. Since then, he has grown to be a fan favorite and a major player in the team’s attempts to get back into postseason play.
Marte has accumulated a.280 batting average with 143 home runs and 515 RBIs throughout his 1,109 career games; stats expected to rise even more as he keeps up a high level of performance.
The Diamondbacks are showing their dedication to assemble a competitive squad around their core stars with this agreement, and Marte’s presence in the clubhouse and on the field will remain a vital component of that strategy for years to come.
