Diamondbacks Eye Reuniting With Merrill Kelly, Paul Goldschmidt

The Arizona Diamondbacks are heading into the 2025-26 offseason with a clear goal. They need to get leaner financially but still stay competitive on the field.

That balancing act has them considering a reunion with two franchise cornerstones. Veteran starter Merrill Kelly and former MVP Paul Goldschmidt could return, each in a role that fits where they are in their careers—and where the club wants to go.

Diamondbacks’ Offseason Blueprint: Compete Without Overspending

After pushing payroll past $200 million, Arizona’s front office now wants to trim that number closer to $145 million for 2026. Usually, that kind of reset means a rebuild, but the D-backs aren’t taking that route.

They plan to lean on their young talent and invest in experienced veterans who know how to win in Arizona. That’s where Merrill Kelly and Paul Goldschmidt come in, each offering a specific solution to a clear need.

Merrill Kelly: A Familiar Anchor for a Changing Rotation

Arizona’s first priority is the starting rotation. There’s “strong mutual interest” in bringing back Merrill Kelly.

The 37-year-old right-hander spent six and a half seasons with the D-backs before they traded him to Texas at the 2025 deadline. Kelly delivered a 3.74 ERA over 162 starts and 953 innings in Arizona. He’s been that steady mid-rotation workhorse who takes the ball every fifth day and keeps his team in games.

The D-backs have two main motivations here:

Reuniting with Kelly also brings something you can’t measure in spreadsheets: continuity. In a market where frontline starters want long deals and huge guarantees, a shorter pact with a pitcher who knows the organization and division has real value.

Why a Zac Gallen Reunion Is Unlikely

While Kelly is on Arizona’s radar, a return for Zac Gallen seems far less likely. Gallen’s projected cost just doesn’t fit a club trying to cut about $55 million from payroll.

The D-backs look ready to spread resources across several rotation options—Kelly included—and trust internal development for upside.

Paul Goldschmidt as a Targeted Offensive Upgrade

On the position-player side, Arizona’s needs are pretty specific. They’re not overhauling the lineup; they just want a right-handed bat who can hammer left-handed pitching and complement Pavin Smith at first base.

That’s where Paul Goldschmidt enters the conversation. The franchise icon might be up for a carefully managed encore in Phoenix.

Goldschmidt’s 2025 Season and the Platoon Blueprint

Goldschmidt, now 38, played the 2025 season with the Yankees. He put up average production overall but looked like his old self against left-handed pitching.

His line versus southpaws—.336/.411/.570—was elite. That’s exactly the profile Arizona wants.

There are caveats. Goldschmidt struggled against right-handers and faded late in the season, which is why he’ll likely accept a pay cut from his $12 million salary in 2025.

But in a part-time or platoon role, he becomes a much more interesting fit. In a structured role, the D-backs could really maximize what he does best:

For a team trying to manage costs, a short-term, incentive-heavy deal for a player who still crushes lefties—and who’s respected in the clubhouse—makes a lot of sense.

Balancing the Books While Building a Contender

Arizona’s approach to the 2026 roster leans hard on financial discipline, but they’re not giving up on staying competitive. They’re eyeing specific, role-focused reunions with Merrill Kelly and Paul Goldschmidt.

Honestly, for a franchise stuck between chasing a title and watching the budget, these moves aren’t about nostalgia. Kelly and Goldschmidt may be familiar, but they fit what the D-backs need right now—smarts over spending, heading into 2026.

 
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