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Merrill Kelly reacts to a great defensive play during the fourth inning on March 31, 2023.

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a plethora of trades during the 2025 season, including trading away starter Merrill Kelly. When the Diamondbacks traded away Kelly, Josh Naylor, and Eugenio Suarez, all MLB teams were aware that these three players were likely to be rental additions, as they are all free agents.

For Merrill Kelly, it’s a bizarre case, where at age 37, it is the first time he is a free agent after spending seven seasons with Arizona. In a recent Bleacher Report article, Kelly is predicted to sign a one-year deal to return to the desert.

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Merrill Kelly Predicted to Reunite with Diamondbacks

The Texas Rangers traded for Kelly back in July in an attempt to make the MLB playoffs. However, after not making it, Texas is also trying to cut payroll, which means a return to the Rangers is unlikely for Merrill Kelly.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicts that Kelly will sign a one-year, $12 million deal to return to the Diamondbacks:

“Because he was already 30 by the time he made his MLB debut, Kelly is hitting free agency for the first time in his career. And of this bunch, he might be the likeliest to sign a two-year deal, showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down yet. He was a bit banged up in 2024, but he bounced back with a dynamite first four months of 2025 with the Diamondbacks.”

“Prediction: One year, $12M with Arizona Diamondbacks”

GettyMerrill Kelly reacts to a great defensive play during the fourth inning on March 31, 2023.

Another reason the Rangers may not want to re-sign Merrill Kelly is he just wasn’t as productive in a Rangers uniform. In 10 starts after being traded to Texas, he posted a 4.23 ERA in 55.1 innings. In 22 starts with the Diamondbacks in 2025, he posted a 3.22 ERA and struck out 121 batters.

Aside from 2024, when he battled some lingering injuries, Kelly has made 25+ in four of the last five seasons, and his career ERA sits at 3.77.

 

Why a Reunion Makes Sense?

Merrill Kelly was a main catalyst in the Diamondbacks’ World Series run back in 2023, so he comes with ample postseason experience. Arizona was also the only team that took a chance on Kelly when he came over to MLB from overseas. There is a clear connection between both parties, which makes a reunion likely.

He has never been named an All-Star in his career, but he has had some very good seasons with Arizona. In 2023, Kelly posted a 3.29 ERA in 30 starts, while striking out 187 batters in 177.2 innings.

Kelly is a very underrated option on the starting pitching market this offseason. He has proven to be durable, consistent, and productive. If the Rangers don’t re-sign him, expect there to be a bidding war between the Diamondbacks and other smaller spenders in MLB for the 37-year-old starter.