According to a list of the top free agents in MLB, Texas Rangers pitcher Merrill Kelly is slotted to be under consideration by the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres.
But why not just re-sign Kelly and bring him back? Don’t the Rangers need some much-needed depth in the rotation?
It might be worth a look.
Here’s some data that The Athletic recently offered about Kelly and it’s worth reviewing carefully.
“Kelly has become a steady big league starter in his 30s and delivered a typical season in 2023, pitching to a 3.52 ERA across 32 starts,” according to the article. “He doesn’t throw hard or get a lot of strikeouts, but since 2022 he has a 3.47 ERA and ranks 21st in the majors in innings pitched.
“An eighth-round pick in 2010, Kelly spent five seasons in the Rays’ minor league system before pitching in Korea for four years,” The Athletic indicates. “He signed with the Diamondbacks in December of 2018, when he was 30, and made his big league debut the following season.
“A shoulder strain cost him more than half of 2024, but he returned to make 32 starts this season, 10 of them after a trade deadline deal to the Rangers,” according to the article. “Due to the late start to his career, he’s reaching free agency for the first time at 37.”
Alright, with all of that information, Kelly isn’t a young pup age-wise. Yes, he’s older than most MLB players entering their first year of free agency.
Still, the Rangers should consider keeping Kelly with the club. A contract for Kelly might look like a two-year deal for $46 million, according to The Athletic.
New Rangers manager Skip Schumaker and Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young want to field the best team possible.
That, of course, also includes the best pitching staff possible, too.
The Rangers are looking to have a rebound season in 2026 with their eyes focused on winning the American League West Division. Yet that’s going to be a challenge, no matter how the roster ends up looking, with the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros always lurking.
Kelly made those 10 starts with Texas and maybe proved himself to Rangers management that he’s worth re-signing him.
If the Rangers will go to the Winter Meetings and chat with Kelly and his agent, then a deal could be made. Sure, Kelly wants to see what his dollar amount and experience might look like on the free agent market. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.
Yet let’s see if the Rangers can bring him back next season.
Leave a Reply