The Arizona Diamondbacks are making a bold move to secure their pitching rotation, as they are reportedly close to signing veteran right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly. This news, broken by Ken Rosenthal, has fans buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Kelly, a seasoned 37-year-old, is no stranger to the Diamondbacks. After being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays, he made his Major League debut with Arizona in 2019, following a successful stint in the Korean Baseball Organization. His first season in the MLB was unremarkable, but he soon established himself as a reliable mid-rotation arm.
Since 2022, Kelly has been a consistent performer, maintaining a solid 3.47 ERA over 108 starts. His strikeout and walk rates are impressive, and he's proven to be a durable pitcher, logging over 175 innings in three of the last four seasons. The highlight of his career came in 2023 when he posted a remarkable 2.25 ERA during the Diamondbacks' World Series run, capturing the hearts of fans.
However, the 2025 season was a challenging one for the Diamondbacks, plagued by injuries to key players like Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk, and Corbin Burnes. This led to a mid-season trade that sent Kelly to the Texas Rangers. His performance there was underwhelming, but the Diamondbacks never lost faith. Rumors of a reunion began circulating even before the Winter Meetings, and now it seems they're bringing Kelly back to the desert.
The contract details are intriguing. Kelly is set to earn $40 million over two years, slightly exceeding the predictions made by MLBTR. This might be a strategic move by the Diamondbacks to secure Kelly's services before the market heats up for starting pitchers. With only two other top-50 starters signed so far, the Diamondbacks could be setting a trend.
But here's where it gets controversial: is Kelly worth the investment? While he's been a solid performer, his advanced metrics suggest he might not be an elite front-line starter. Yet, the Diamondbacks are betting on his experience and proven track record with the team. Will this move pay off, or is it a risky gamble? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
