Blue Jays just missed out on a move that could’ve changed everything in 2026

Throughout this 2025-26 offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans have been waiting patiently to see if anything could get done on the Bo Bichette front. After all, it would be tough to lose not only a fan favourite, but an offensive dynamo that has done so much to help the club return to prominence during the past seven years.

However, with all the drama dragging on without much progression, the Blue Jays may have just missed out on a potentially huge move that could have changed everything in 2026. The player that Toronto could have had was star infielder Ketel Marte. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, sources have indicated that Marte is no longer available in the trade market and will stay with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the upcoming season.

Blue Jays just missed out on a move that could’ve changed everything in 2026

The Diamondbacks infielder definitely would have helped changed the landscape in Toronto. After all, Marte is a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner. Not to mention he was also an NL MVP finalist in 2024 when he compiled a .292 average, .932 OPS, with 93 runs scored, 36 home runs and 95 RBIs in 136 games played.

More significantly, for his career, Marte has hit close to .280 with an .800-plus OPS, while averaging 90+ runs scored, 20+ home runs and 70+ RBIs per season over a full 162-game schedule pace. If those numbers kind of ring a bell, it’s because those are similar to what Bichette has been putting up for the Blue Jays on a yearly basis as well.

The snag right now seems to be surround Bichette’s asking price, which has gone up quite substantially. Which is why passing up on the opportunity to acquire Marte from the Diamondbacks when he was previously available could come back to haunt the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old veteran Marte would have been the perfect replacement for Bichette from the offensive numbers alone.

But on top of that, Marte can play either second base or shortstop, along with the ability to bat from both sides of the plate, giving Toronto and manager John Schneider some added flexibility when setting his lineup on a daily basis. Added to the fact that his contract is signed through to the 2030 season and the Blue Jays wouldn't need to worry about replacing him any time soon if they did end up having to give up some prospect capital.

With Marte now pulled off the market, Toronto's best option is re-signing Bichette himself. But with some added competition from contenders like the Philadelphia Phillies, chances are the Blue Jays could actually start the season without bringing him, or another star offensive player into the fold.