Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it looks like there might not be a massive amount of star players moved at the 2026 trade deadline. According to a few insiders, it seems as though the Bucs might be one of the bigger buyers at the deadline as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. It seems like a given that the Pirates will make a few moves for trusted relievers, as their bullpen has faltered in the last few months. Despite that, they find themselves just half a game out of a wild card spot.
Many of the rumored deadline movers do not make sense for the Pirates. Tarik Skubal would require too much of a haul for a rental. Jeremy Pena is a similar story. Yordan Alvarez is a DH-only with a contract that might be too hefty for the Bucs. Ryan Jeffers just suffered a long-term injury.
However, a massive piece has hit the rumor mill, and he might be the perfect fit for the Pirates. Yesterday, USA Today reported that the Diamondbacks have grown increasingly frustrating with Marte’s inability to play every game, as they find themselves in the grueling NL Wild Card hunt. This comes after a tumultuous offseason where Marte was rumored to be on the trade block, although never got moved.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of what this trade could look like, we first need to state the obvious. Yes, the Pirates have their star second baseman in Brandon Lowe. While Marte has played shortstop and the outfield in his career, at this point, he is solely a second baseman. This seems like a roadblock, but it might give the Pirates the perfect opportunity. Brandon Lowe struggles versus left handers, and the switch-hitting Marte is one of the biggest lefty mashers in the league, allowing him to give Lowe an opportunity to enter the game later on days where a lefty hurler is on the mound. On other days, Lowe and Marte could both split time between 2B and DH. This would mean that Marcell Ozuna would be left without a spot on the team, a development which would not upset many a Pirates fan, as he has already started being phased out of the lineup. Both Marte and Lowe have slightly worrisome injury histories, so this would also allow them to get some days off in the field.
Additionally, Marte’s contract is more than palatable. For a perennial all-star and MVP candidate, around 20 million dollars a year until 2030 seems like an absolute steal. This includes a 2027 season where he will make just 12 million dollars, which would be incredibly useful to a Pirates team who looks to compete for the World Series next year. Brandon Lowe’s contract expires after this season, and projections have him getting closer to 30 million. This would allow the Bucs to play both of them this year, and then be able to slot in Marte as their second baseman going forward.
Marte would immediately be the biggest bat in a fantastic Pirates lineup, as he has been one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball for years. In an ideal world, with Marte, the Bucs could roll out this lineup:
2B Ketel Marte
DH Brandon Lowe
LF Bryan Reynolds
RF Ryan O’Hearn
CF Oneil Cruz
SS Konnor Griffin
1B Spencer Horwitz
3B Nick Gonzales
C Endy Rodriguez
That is an undeniable lineup – maybe top 3 in the MLB. If it was as simple as just adding Marte, every single Pirates fan and follower would do it instantly. Unfortunately, trades aren’t that simple. Given Marte’s production and contract, he will take an absolutely massive haul. Let’s dive into what a potential package could look like.
The reality is that a player like Marte probably does not get moved without one of the Pirates' true blue-chip prospects. Arizona is not rebuilding. If they trade away a perennial All-Star signed to one of the friendliest contracts in baseball, they are going to want a player they can immediately market as the centerpiece of their next core.
That is where the conversation likely starts with either Bubba Chandler or Edward Florentino.
RHP Bubba Chandler
Chandler would be the type of prospect who could headline a blockbuster. Widely viewed as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball before the season, he possesses frontline starter upside and could step into Arizona's rotation as soon as the trade goes down. If the Diamondbacks are moving Marte, they would almost certainly ask for Chandler first. He has struggled a bit this year, but still has immense value.
OF Edward Florentino
If the Pirates are unwilling to discuss Chandler, Florentino could be the next name Arizona targets. While further away from the majors, Florentino possesses the type of superstar ceiling that front offices want in franchise-altering trades. His combination of athleticism, power, and projection has quickly made him one of the most exciting prospects in baseball.
A package centered around Florentino would likely require more prospect depth behind him than a Chandler-led deal, but it would give Arizona the future star they could point to as the centerpiece of the return.
Additional Pieces
Whether the package is built around Chandler or Florentino, the Pirates would likely need to include several more intriguing prospects. Players such as Tony Blanco Jr., Yordany De Los Santos, Murf Gray, Axiel Plaz, or other upper-level prospects could help bridge the gap.
A theoretical Marte package might look something like:
Bubba Chandler, Tony Blanco Jr., Yordany De Los Santos, and an additional prospect
or
Edward Florentino, Murf Gray, Axiel Plaz, Tony Blanco Jr., and another prospect
Neither package would be easy to stomach, but that is the reality when attempting to acquire a perennial MVP candidate under contract through 2030.
An Alternative Path
If Arizona places a greater emphasis on immediate major-league help, the Pirates could attempt to construct a package around Carmen Mlodzinski and Jhostynxon Garcia. Both players could contribute to the Diamondbacks right away while still offering multiple years of team control.
A framework featuring Mlodzinski, Garcia, Jared Triolo, and several lower-level prospects would provide Arizona with a mix of present value and future upside. However, it is difficult to envision that type of package winning out against offers built around a true elite prospect. More likely, Mlodzinski or Garcia would serve as supporting pieces in a larger deal rather than the headliners themselves.
Given all this, it might seem unlikely that the Bucs could get Marte. However, normal big trade partners in the Dodgers and Padres are in-division for Arizona, while other teams that could use Marte like the Phillies and Rays do not have a headliner prospect to send to the desert. If the Pirates could pull this off, they would immediately vault into another tier of contention.
