The Yankees have spent the vast majority of this offseason operating in silence, a strategy that is becoming increasingly uncomfortable as their American League East rivals start to make noise.
While General Manager Brian Cashman preaches patience and a “calculated” approach to the market, the Boston Red Sox appear ready to aggressively upgrade their roster. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Boston has checked in with the Arizona Diamondbacks regarding superstar second baseman Ketel Marte, a move that would instantly shift the power dynamics of the division.
If the Red Sox were to pull the trigger on a deal for Marte, they wouldn’t just be adding a good player; they would be importing one of the premier offensive engines in the sport. For a Yankees team that is still trying to figure out its own infield identity, watching Boston land a switch-hitting dynamo while they sit on their hands would be a bitter pill to swallow.
Ketel Marte Is a Statcast Darling Who Wrecks Pitching
Marte isn’t just a solid veteran; he is coming off a 2025 campaign where he was virtually unstoppable. At 32 years old, he slashed .283/.376/.517 over 556 plate appearances, launching 28 home runs and posting an elite .893 OPS. He is the definition of a professional hitter, ranking in the 95th percentile for Batting Run Value and controlling the zone with an 85th percentile strikeout rate (14.9%) and an 84th percentile walk rate (11.5%).
The underlying metrics suggest his production is far from a fluke. He ranked in the 97th percentile for expected weighted On-Base Average (xwOBA) at .390 and the 96th percentile for expected batting average (xBA) at .291.
Essentially, when he hits the ball, good things happen. Defensively, he remains reliable at the keystone, posting a 74th percentile ranking in Range (Outs Above Average), proving he is still a two-way asset despite a decline in sprint speed. Adding that kind of production to Fenway Park would be a nightmare for Yankee pitchers.
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Cashman’s Chess Match vs. The Division’s Checkers
While Boston circles elite talent, the Yankees are playing a different game entirely. Reports indicate the Yankees have checked in on Bo Bichette, but he makes absolutely no sense for their roster given his defensive regression and injury history. Flirting with regression candidates while rivals hunt for superstars is a dangerous game, especially when the current roster has glaring holes.
Furthermore, there are whispers that the Yankees are fielding calls on Jazz Chisholm in a possible ruthless move, suggesting they might subtract talent before they add it. If Cashman trades Chisholm while Boston acquires Marte, the gap between the two historic rivals narrows significantly. The Yankees cannot afford to stand by and watch the AL East improve; eventually, “calculated” just looks like “inactive,” and in New York, that is unacceptable.