The Arizona Diamondbacks look set to bring back a familiar face, closing in on a two-year, $40 million deal with veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly. Arizona wants to steady a rotation that ran hot and cold last season.
Kelly’s return feels like both a vote of confidence in a proven performer and, honestly, a bit of a gamble on a 37-year-old workhorse. He’s already made his mark on the franchise.
Diamondbacks Bet Big on Merrill Kelly’s Reliability
Pending a physical and a roster move, Kelly’s new contract keeps him in the desert through at least 2026. For a club hoping to stay in the National League race, locking down a dependable starter early in the offseason was a clear priority.
By going a bit above MLB Trade Rumors’ projected value for Kelly, the Diamondbacks showed just how much they appreciate his durability and consistency. They know he’s delivered in big moments before, and that’s hard to find.
From KBO Standout to Diamondbacks Mainstay
Kelly’s path to MLB stability hasn’t been conventional. After four seasons in Korea’s KBO, he finally landed a big-league rotation spot with Arizona in 2019.
He’s spent almost his entire major league career in Phoenix. Since 2022, he’s become a classic mid-rotation anchor, giving the Diamondbacks quality innings and keeping them in games more often than not.
Over that stretch, Kelly has posted a solid 3.47 ERA across 108 starts. His reliable strikeout and walk rates really highlight his command-first style.
Kelly’s Postseason Pedigree Still Matters
What really boosts Kelly’s value in Arizona isn’t just his steady regular-season work. It’s what he did during the club’s unexpected World Series run in 2023.
During that postseason, Kelly put up a 2.25 ERA over 24 innings. He gave the Diamondbacks exactly what teams crave in October: a starter who can shut down lineups and keep the bullpen rested.
Why the 2025 Setback Didn’t Scare Arizona Off
Kelly’s 2025 season just didn’t go as planned. A rough first half led to a mid-year trade to the Texas Rangers, where he finished with a 4.23 ERA over ten starts.
Some teams might have worried about that dip, especially at age 37. Arizona, though, never really closed the door on bringing him back. The front office seems to believe that slump was more of a blip than a sign of decline.
They’re betting his experience and skill set still work in a contending rotation.
What Kelly’s Return Means for the Diamondbacks’ Rotation
With this deal, the Diamondbacks are basically handing Kelly the ball on Opening Day. They’re asking him to set the tone for the staff again.
The move brings some much-needed stability to a rotation that’s been shuffled around by injuries and inconsistency. On paper, Arizona’s starting group looks deeper now, though there are still some question marks.
Projected Rotation for 2026
If everyone stays healthy, the Diamondbacks’ rotation could look like this:
Corbin Burnes is technically in the mix, but he won’t be back until about midseason. That makes Kelly’s durability even more important early on.
Can Kelly Alone Fix a Middle-of-the-Pack Staff?
Last year, Arizona’s pitching staff finished 19th in ERA. That’s squarely in the middle, and it often left the offense to pick up the slack.
Kelly’s return definitely helps, but he can’t fix everything by himself. The Diamondbacks will probably look for more rotation depth and some bullpen upgrades if they want to close the gap on the NL’s best.
Payroll, Flexibility, and Big-Name Possibilities
Arizona’s payroll for 2026 sits just above $171 million. There’s still some financial wiggle room, but it’s not endless.
That opens the door for a few interesting possibilities on the transaction front. Around the league, people have tossed out a couple of ideas:
Re-upping Merrill Kelly gives Arizona something they can’t fake with prospects or short-term signings. He’s a starter who knows the ballpark, the division, and what it’s like to pitch under real pressure.
Here is the source article for this story: Diamondbacks To Sign Merrill Kelly
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