Merrill Kelly’s stint with the Texas Rangers is reportedly coming to an end.
Kelly, a 37-year-old starting pitcher that Texas acquired from Arizona at the trade deadline, is heading back to the Diamondbacks on a two-year, $40 million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal.
With the Rangers making efforts to cut payroll, bringing Kelly back at that price probably wasn’t feasible. Texas traded for Kelly with hopes he would aid a late-season playoff push, knowing he was likely going to be a rental. The Rangers gave up three prospects in the deal, sending LHP Mitch Bratt, LHP Kohl Drake and RHP David Hagaman to Arizona. According to MLB Pipeline, Drake is Arizona’s No. 6 prospect, Bratt ranks No. 9 and Hagaman slots in at No. 15.
Kelly made 10 starts with the Rangers, posting a 4.23 ERA in 55⅓ innings with 46 strikeouts and 10 walks. He mostly did his part, allowing three or fewers runs in eight of his 10 starts he made in Texas, but the Rangers’ playoff push still fell short due to a lackluster offense.
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He’ll return to Arizona, where he has spent the entirety of his career outside of his brief stint with the Rangers. Of note, Kelly went to high school in Scottsdale, Ariz. and played college baseball at Arizona State and Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz.
Kelly was a part of Texas’ quartet of free agent starting pitchers, which also includes RHP Jon Gray, RHP Tyler Mahle and LHP Patrick Corbin. With Kelly off the board, Chris Young will have to look elsewhere to fill in the starting rotation behind Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter.
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