This Ketel Marte prediction could be bad news for Diamondbacks fans

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For much of the offseason, Arizona Diamondbacks fans were left wondering if Ketel Marte would be with the club on Opening Day. He was viewed as a major trade chip over the winter, but Arizona decided to hold onto their middle infielder.

Instead, they doubled down, acquiring Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals and later re-signing Zac Gallen to lead the pitching staff.

This is a lineup that could be a contender come postseason time, or they can crash and burn early and become sellers at the trade deadline.

MORE: Former All-Star arm expected to step up for the D-backs with Merrill Kelly sidelined

This Ketel Marte prediction could be bad news for Diamondbacks fans​

So far at camp, things have not gone well for the D-backs. They had a scare when star OF Corbin Carroll broke his right hamate bone. Speculation was that he may not be ready for Opening Day, but the speedster is pushing through it, making it a goal to be ready on the first day of the season.

That was not the only scare. Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has been dealing with intercostal nerve irritation in his back, but is recovering well.

With a big arm in the pitching staff down and Corbin Carroll's recent injury, it could be on Ketel Marte to lead the charge. According to ESPN, he comes into the 2026 season ranked as the 20th-best player, but may be playing elsewhere after the trade deadline, per David Schoenfield.

"Season prediction: He starts his fourth All-Star Game and third in a row -- and then, with Arizona's pitching in a free fall and the Diamondbacks under .500, gets traded in a blockbuster deadline deal."

Ketel is projected to do well, but could be traded at the deadline if the D-backs fall below contender status. That shouldn't surprise many with how the winter went, but it would certainly leave a hole in the fanbase's hearts.

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