At the trade deadline, the Texas Rangers decided they needed more depth in their starting rotation and acquired veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move was made with short-term goals in mind — Kelly was set to become a free agent after the season, but Texas hoped the 36-year-old could help secure a playoff spot.
The Rangers paid a high price for the rental, parting with three Top 15 pitching prospects: left-handers Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt, and right-hander David Hagaman.
Kelly made 10 starts for Texas, going 3–3 with a 4.23 ERA, striking out 46 and walking just 10 in 55.1 innings. Including his time with Arizona, he finished the year 12–8 overall. The Rangers were already familiar with him — Kelly started against them in the 2023 World Series.
Now entering free agency, Kelly is expected to draw plenty of interest as a reliable mid-rotation starter. According to Baseball America, ESPN, and MLB Trade Rumors, he ranks between 22nd and 31st on this offseason’s Top 50 free-agent lists, with projections calling for a two-year deal.
Financially, however, Kelly might not fit into the Rangers’ plans. The club is looking to trim payroll, and signing a soon-to-be 37-year-old starter would likely conflict with that goal. On paper, the team’s 2026 rotation already includes Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jack Leiter, with Kumar Rocker, Cody Bradford, Jacob Latz, and Jose Corniell among the next options.
Unless Texas moves a higher-priced veteran like deGrom or Eovaldi, Kelly’s return seems unlikely. Still, his career numbers — a 62–50 record and 3.77 ERA — and reputation for durability make him the kind of pitcher the Rangers typically value, even if the price tag may be too steep this time.
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