Second baseman Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed Wednesday to a $116.5 million, six-year contract that includes a player option for 2031, becoming among the first players to negotiate a lower salary for 2027 ahead of a possible work stoppage.

By getting a deal done with Ketel Marte, the Diamondbacks have increased their payroll flexibility during their current contention window.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees MLB game to be played on April 3, 2025 on ESPN.

Ketel Marte has agreed to a six-year, $116 million extension, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported Wednesday. Marte, who had already been signed through the 2028 season, can make up to $149.5 million with escalators in the extension.

The contract extension was confirmed about an hour ago by Nick Piecoro, who confirmed the new extension runs through 2031, and is worth $116.5m. Somewhat over half of that ($64m) was new money, because Ketel was originally under team control through the end of 2027,

The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the New York Yankees Thursday in the finale of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Arizona won the first two games.

The Diamondbacks haven't yet announced the deal. Marte, 31, placed third in National League MVP balloting last season when he established career bests of 36 homers and 95 RBIs to go with a .292 average in 136 games.

Only a three-run shot by Anthony Volpe in the ninth kept the Yankees from being blanked, locking in their first series loss.