Merrill Kelly Acquired By Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers made moves before the trade deadline, and this time, they have snagged Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before we break down what this means for both teams, it is worth acknowledging that this trade is peak MLB trade deadline behavior. One team is trying not to drown in the wild card race and panic buys an established but not exactly headline-grabbing veteran. The other team is essentially waving the white flag while hoarding minor league prospects. How will it work out?
Why the Rangers Wanted Kelly
Texas, sitting on a respectable-but-not-great 57-52 record, is desperate to stay relevant in the AL playoff picture. With the Houston Astros continuing their post-cheating-strength dominance in the division, the Rangers are banking on pitching to carry them the rest of the way.
But here’s the thing about Texas pitching this season. It is already a strength. Led by Jacob deGrom (2.55 ERA), Nathan Eovaldi (a ridiculous 1.49 ERA), and an aging but serviceable Patrick Corbin, the Rangers’ rotation boasts the best ERA in MLB at 3.16. Did they need Kelly that badly?
Apparently, yes. deGrom’s health is like a game of Jenga at this point, and while Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are exciting young talents, they’re green enough to mix up the rosin bag with a bag of popcorn. Kelly adds stability. His 3.22 ERA this season tells you that he can keep games competitive, and his “always eat the innings” approach gives the bullpen a break. Also, the guy’s changeup could make a hitter cry.
The D-backs’ Glorified Yard Sale
Wow, Arizona. Selling just about anyone who can swing a bat or throw a ball, huh? This is the Diamondbacks’ fourth “goodbye, regular starter” deal leading up to the deadline, following trades of Josh Naylor, Randal Grichuk, and Eugenio Suarez.
On the surface, it makes sense. Kelly isn’t getting any younger. He will be 37 in October, and you can’t blame Arizona for wanting to cash in before he inevitably loses half a tick on his fastball. Still, it is not exactly a move that screams, “We plan on winning anything soon.”
The Rangers sent Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt, and David Hagaman back to Arizona. If those names don’t sound familiar to you, congratulations, you’re not a GMs-only trivia buff. Drake is the headliner as the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, but past that, describing Bratt and Hagaman as “solid, developmental guys” would be generous. Essentially, Arizona is banking on the long game here, which is starting to feel like the only game they play.
Kelly’s Career Story
Quick refresher for those unaware, because Kelly is not the kind of player who trends on Twitter. This guy took the scenic route to the big leagues. Drafted three times, he bounced around the minors for nine years before debuting with Arizona in 2019. Sure, he’s no Cy Young candidate, but Kelly has quietly been reliable, posting a 3.74 career ERA over seven seasons. He was even a low-key hero during Arizona’s surprise run to the 2023 World Series.
What Comes Next
If you are a Rangers fan, you are hoping Kelly slots in as a consistent third starter and saves your bullpen from exhaustion. If you’re a Diamondbacks fan, you are probably already emotionally numb from the past few seasons. Maybe dream about the exciting prospects Arizona nabbed? Realistically, this trade is a win-win in the most boring way possible. Texas shores up its rotation, Arizona plans for a 2029 dynasty, and we all move on to more dramatic trades.
