Two Brewers' division rivals appear on this star infielder's no-trade list

Ketel Marte is one of the biggest names on the trade market this offseason, though the Arizona Diamondbacks' All-Star may not be a perfect fit for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Marte, who turned 32 in October, has five years and $91 million remaining on his contract, plus an $11.5 million player option in 2031 (when he'd be 37). Paying an All-Star second baseman an average of $18 million per year is a bargain in today's baseball landscape, but durability concerns and Marte's age are likely to prove one obstacle too many for the Brewers to justify a trade.

Frustrating though it may be to assume that Milwaukee will pass on yet another elite talent, this just isn't how the Crew do business. They build from within, often trading stars away in order to bring in more controllable talent. And when they do strike a trade, it's rarely one that brings in an expensive, aging veteran who is likely at the end of his prime.

Luckily for Brewers fans, the rest of the NL Central isn't doing too hot in the Ketel Marte sweepstakes either. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed the second baseman's five-team no-trade clause, and two division rivals (the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals) found themselves on the list.

Ketel Marte is an unlikely target for Brewers and most of NL Central

The Cardinals were probably never going to go after Marte as they plunge head-first into their rebuild, though the Pirates may feel miffed as they claim to be interested in expanding their payroll this offseason. Pittsburgh's offense was the worst in the league in most notable categories last season, and Marte surely would have helped lift them back toward respectability.

As for the other NL Central teams, the Chicago Cubs aren't all too likely to be in on Marte. They have Nico Hoerner occupying second base on a full-time basis for the 2026 season, and are likely to flip Matt Shaw over to the keystone position if the former departs in free agency next season.

That leaves the Cincinnati Reds, who absolutely are trying to make a Marte deal happen. They have the pitching the Diamondbacks covet as well, so don't be shocked if they emerge as the winners of these sweepstakes.

Of course, the Brewers shouldn't be completely ruled out, difficult though the fit might be. Marte hit .292/.372/.560 (152 wRC+) with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs a year ago, and his 2025 campaign was just as impressive (.283/.376/.517 (145 wRC+) with 28 homers and 72 RBIs). That's MVP-caliber production.

Again, though, the problem is his salary and age, as well as the fact that the Brewers have a very strong second baseman of their own in Brice Turang. The bat is tantalizing, but the fit just doesn't make sense.

Therefore, so long as the Reds don't get him, Marte shouldn't be an issue the Brewers have to navigate in 2026 as they fight for their fourth consecutive NL Central title.