Diandobbacks are in the final stages of completing a two-year, $40mm donation Merrill Kellyaccording to Ken Rosenthal of Sports. This deal will be huge if Kelly passes (according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post) and Arizona will need to clear space on its full 40-man roster. Kelly is represented by APEX Baseball.
The 37-year-old Kelly returns to the team with which he spent most of his major league career. Although he was initially irradiated in the eighth round of the 2010 plot, Kelly made his big decision to DIAMEBACK AST in 2019 after a member of the fourth season (now known as SSG Landers). After a pedestrian rookie campaign in the majors in which he blew up the league season – averaging 32, Kelly was able to play a role with one of the better rotation arms in the majors.
Since the start of the 2022 campaign, Kelly has posted a 3.47 ERA in 108 innings. He struck out 23.1% of his opponents while walking 7.7% in that span, leaving him with a 3.81 FIP. While the Siera and the like cast him as an influence from your prototypical front-end starter, the veteran has managed to remain a more substantial and long-lasting entity. Kelly endeared himself to Arizona fans when he delivered an impressive 2.25 innings over 24 postseason innings during the team’s run to the World Series in 2023.
During the depressing time of 2025 where diamonds are destroyed by harm to everyone from the stars that close Justin Martinez and AJ PUK to the newly signed ace Corbin is on fireThe team was involved in this year’s trade deadline and sent Kelly to analysts to change pitching prospects. Kelly is putting up lame numbers for ALL Extrall starting Rangers, posting a 4.23 ERA and a close 4.18 FIP in this 55/3 career. Regardless of the veteran keeper in Texas, an offseason reunion with the Diamonds is already being considered. A “clear” enthusiasm to meet Kelly was reported on the Arizona side not long before the last winter meetings, and now the parties have come together.
Turning to the deal itself, the $40mm clocks in for the two years ahead and the $36mm MLBTR predicted the right to eat when they put him on the list of #25 MLB Agents. Perhaps that prime minister paid for the diamonds paid for Kelly’s services was the cost of jumping the market; While the free agent market for position players and especially extras has kicked into gear in a big way already, Kelly is just the third starter from MLBTR’s Top 50 to sign an Offsoason contract. You join Dylan stops and Cody Ponceboth findings confirm that MLBTR’s predictions are understated.
Now that we’re set to return to Arizona, Kelly stands as the favorite to start for the Diamondbacks on opening day this year. You will join the rotation that has already been added Michael Soroka Earlier this affsoason while reconciling with some composers Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadtagain Ryne Nelson. Burnout can be a thing later in the season but is not expected to go away until sometime in the second half of the season. While the team’s rotation certainly looks more complete with Kelly back in the fold, bringing the right-hander to the fold shouldn’t prevent the team from succeeding other club rotation workers after a 4.29 last year.
Of course, adding beyond that this might be easier said than done. Diamonds DIAMEBALS are expected to be paid just north of $171mm by 2026, according to Ressurce. That rises north of $205mm for luxury tax purposes. GM Mike Halen suggested that, while Arizona’s payroll may continue to decline from its 2025 level, that would still leave the team with cap room. The club spent $188mm on their payroll last season, however, which means they currently sit $17mm short of that mark.
Maybe enough leaves to WIGLE room to reassemble Paul Goldschmidt In an inexpensive one-year scenario, moving diamonds is said to be considered, but realistically it will decrease when the team’s major expenses are used unless Payroll is allowed or the team makes trades that are allowed for salaries. At that last moment, the hot stove was burning Ketel Marte trading buzz in recent weeks. Certainly Marte would be clear about paying for the books, although Hazen is always cheap and the chances of him being around Marte come together.
