The Arizona Diamondbacks go into full damage control mode while Ketel Marte says he’s sorry – The Arizona Diamondbacks went into full-blown damage control on Monday, August 18, trying to calm down the growing criticism of All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte. The Diamondbacks had a lot of meetings during the day, including one between GM Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo. Marte then publicly apologized for taking a short vacation following the All-Star break and leaving the organization. In another interview, Lovullo also backed Marte and applauded him for talking to his critics.
Lovullo stated, “I’m proud of him for doing that.” “I know he exhibited some weakness, and that’s not easy for him to do. I’m so proud of him for working so hard. People have been quietly criticizing Marte for asking for days off when he wasn’t hurt since at least last season. But the criticism got worse when Marte took a day off before the All-Star break. He played in the All-Star Game, then without alerting D-backs officials, did not fly back with his fellow All-Star teammates back to Phoenix. Instead, he flew home to the Dominican Republic and spent time with his family there.
He promised D-backs executives that he would be back in Phoenix for their first game after the All-Star break, but he didn’t show up at Chase Field until the next Saturday afternoon, missing both games against the St. Louis Cardinals, including his own bobblehead campaign. The Diamondbacks put him on the restricted list for the two games he missed without pay, but they didn’t punish him.
Marte’s actions made a lot of his teammates and staff members angry, but on Monday he said he still had everyone’s support and apologized for not being there.
Marte added through interpreter Rolando Valles, “At first, he wanted to come back on Thursday and be with his team and practice.” “He wants to say sorry in public for not backing that up. I mean, he clearly understood what was going on with him. He was angry and in a horrible place. He really wants to say sorry to his teammates and everyone else.
Marte says that all of his teammates still support him, even though several of them publicly criticized him last week in the Arizona Republic, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. Marte has not played in 168 games since 2021, including 33 this season. The Arizona Diamondbacks go into full damage control mode while Ketel Marte says he’s sorry
“He’s been hurt before, and that’s a plan that the coaching staff and he are working on together to keep him on the field…” Valles stated. “It’s meant to help you get better. “On those days off, he does everything he needs to do to get back on the field and help the team win.”
He said that the criticism he gets for taking days off when he’s not hurt, like in the penultimate week of last season when the D-backs missed the playoffs by one game, will only make him work more.
Valles added, “He can’t control the outsiders, and he’s fine with the fact that his goal is always to help the team win and support his teammates and everyone else around the team.” “So, in fact, that criticism sometimes makes him more motivated to do his job, which is to help the team win.”
Marte signed a contract extension with the Diamondbacks this spring that would go until 2031.
He also said again that he wants to stay with the team. Next season, when he becomes a 10-and-5 player, he will have full control over his future. He will be able to stop any deals.
Valles stated, “In the nine years he’s been here, he’s always tried to play hard and help the team and his teammates in the organization.” He knows that the people here are good, and his goal is to always be a D-back and help the company as long as he is here.
The Diamondbacks say they would listen to trade offers for Marte this winter, but they don’t think any team will give a fair deal for a three-time All-Star who is under contract for six more years for $92.5 million after this season. Marte also noted that no one on the Diamondbacks has told him that his behavior is not okay.
Valles said that Marte still thinks his connection with Lovullo and the front office is in good shape. “During the time he’s been here, they have been very helpful.” He has never had a problem with a player, coach, or the front office in general. The Arizona Diamondbacks go into full damage control mode while Ketel Marte says he’s sorry
The Diamondbacks, who were 60-65 going into Monday night’s game and had traded four players at the deadline, including All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suarez, are hoping that any problems with Marte go away soon and don’t come up again for the rest of the season. Also, the Diamondbacks need the criticism to stop if they want to attract any serious bids for Marte this winter.
Lovullo remarked, “I know he’s a great teammate.” “He plays hard every day for the Arizona Diamondbacks.” He only wants to win games of baseball. That’s all. I don’t want to say much more than that. “Let’s put it behind us because we have baseball games to win.” And yes, maybe a trade market for a particular second baseman to build on as well. The Arizona Diamondbacks go into full damage control mode while Ketel Marte says he’s sorry
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