Merrill Kelly is back with the Arizona Diamondbacks, signing a two-year, $40 million deal after a brief stint with the Texas Rangers. At 37, Kelly made his decision early in the offseason, contrasting with his teammate Zac Gallen’s journey.
Interestingly, Kelly revealed on the Foul Territory podcast that the San Diego Padres made a serious offer during his free agency. However, the higher tax rates in California led him to stick with Arizona.
“They take too much money,” Kelly said, pointing out the financial implications of such a move.
Kelly had a solid 2025, pitching 128.2 innings over 22 starts with a 3.22 ERA before his trade to the Rangers. Although he was set to be the Opening Day starter for the Diamondbacks, a lower back issue has delayed his season debut.
This year marks the eighth consecutive season with both Kelly and Gallen anchoring Arizona’s rotation, a partnership Kelly cherishes. “That’s my locker mate for the last seven years.
That’s the guy I golf with on the road,” he shared, highlighting their camaraderie and Gallen’s importance to the team.
Gallen, who turned down a $22.05 million qualifying offer to explore free agency, found the market less favorable than expected after a challenging 2025. Ultimately, he returned to the Diamondbacks on a one-year deal matching the offer he initially declined, ensuring the duo remains a cornerstone of the team’s pitching staff.