The Texas Rangers are trading for starting pitcher Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks, per reports.
Kelly was a key part of the 2023 Diamondbacks team that lost to the Rangers in the World Series. After missing much of 2024 due to injury, he has been nails this year, putting up a 3.22 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 128.2 IP over 22 starts.
The Rangers had been expected to be active in pursuing a reliever at the deadline, but it wasn’t expected that they’d go after a starting pitcher. However, it looks
like they have landed one of the better rental starters available this year. Kelly, 36, is in the last year of a three year, $24 million deal, and is making $7 million this year.
The D-Backs are reportedly getting three prospects back in the deal. When more info is available, we will update this post with those details.
UPDATE — Pitchers Kohl Drake and David Hagaman are reportedly going to Arizona in this deal. Drake is a 24 year old lefthander who was recently promoted to AAA Round Rock, and who was expected to be added to the 40 man roster this winter. Hagaman was the Rangers’ 4th round pick out of the University of West Virginia last year, and who was one of the pitchers who was recovering from Tommy John surgery when he was selected and so has only recently resumed pitching in game action.
