When the D-backs traded Merrill Kelly to the Texas Rangers at the 2025 Trade Deadline, it was a tough but calculated move. Arizona was slipping out of postseason contention, and with Kelly’s value peaking, the front office pulled the trigger on a deal that brought in three of Texas’ top young arms: Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt, and David Hagaman. But even then, both sides had a reunion in mind-and now, just a few months later, that vision has become reality.
On Friday, Kelly and general manager Mike Hazen sat down with the media to talk about the right-hander’s return to Arizona on a new two-year, $40 million deal. And if there was any doubt about how Kelly felt about being back, he put that to rest quickly.
“Home is where the heart is,” Kelly said. “We couldn’t be happier with how it worked out.”
The Trade That Was Always Meant to Be Temporary
For Hazen, dealing Kelly wasn’t part of the original plan. But when the team’s playoff hopes dimmed and Texas came calling with a strong offer, the D-backs had to consider the long-term benefits. Still, Hazen made it clear to Kelly at the time: this didn’t have to be goodbye forever.
Kelly, a steady presence in Arizona’s rotation for years, understood the business side of it. He saw the writing on the wall and approached the situation with the kind of maturity and perspective that teams value in a veteran.
“There’s always a bit of doubt when you get traded,” he said. “But the front office was upfront with me. They said they wanted me back, and I believed them.”
He wasn’t just saying that. Kelly kept the door open mentally, and when Arizona came through with a fair offer after the season, he didn’t hesitate.
Why an Extension Didn’t Happen Earlier
Some fans might wonder why the D-backs didn’t just extend Kelly before the trade. Hazen addressed that, explaining the tricky nature of negotiating with a player so close to free agency.
Once a player gets to that point, the price tag usually reflects what he expects to command on the open market. Teams, on the other hand, are often looking for a bit of a discount in exchange for the security of locking a player in early.
“It’s very complicated to do a deal once a player gets to the last year,” Hazen said. “Not impossible, but more complex.”
In the end, Arizona made a calculated gamble: trade Kelly for top-tier prospects, then try to bring him back in the offseason. And it worked. They got value in the short term and retained a key piece for the future.
Kelly, for his part, held no grudges.
“I think my value at the time was at an all-time high,” he said. “They saw it as an opportunity to do what they just did-get three top pitching prospects and still bring me back. It made more sense than trying to extend me when they weren’t sure about the playoffs.”
A Low-Key Celebration with Familiar Faces
The timing of the deal added a bit of serendipity to the reunion. Kelly was in Mexico for teammate Alek Thomas’ wedding when the contract was finalized. That meant he got to celebrate the news with several familiar faces-Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Blaze Alexander, Jake McCarthy, and Pavin Smith were all there.
“I tried to keep it low-key,” Kelly said. “Didn’t want to overshadow A.T.’s big day.
But everyone was excited. Just being able to agree to terms and celebrate with the guys I’ll be back in the locker room with-that was pretty cool.”
The Rotation’s Taking Shape-But More Moves Are Coming
With Kelly back in the fold and Mike Soroka also signed, the Diamondbacks now have five veteran starters penciled in. But Hazen made it clear: they’re not done yet.
The front office is still actively looking to add arms, both in the rotation and the bullpen. Depth matters, especially in a long season, and Arizona knows how quickly things can change on the mound.
So while the return of Merrill Kelly is a major win for the D-backs-both emotionally and strategically-it’s just one piece of a bigger puzzle. Arizona’s not just bringing back a familiar face. They’re building a rotation that can compete, and Kelly’s presence gives them a proven, reliable anchor to build around.
For now, the reunion feels right. And for a team with postseason ambitions, it might just be the first step toward something bigger.