Merrill Kelly had options. Coming off a solid stint with the Texas Rangers and with a steady résumé built over five seasons in Arizona, the veteran right-hander was in demand.
But when it came time to choose his next move, Kelly didn’t chase the longest deal or the flashiest destination. Instead, he chose familiarity-and maybe a little bit of home.
Kelly is returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year, $40 million contract, turning down a longer, three-year offer from the San Diego Padres in the process. According to reporting, family considerations played a major role in his decision to stay in the desert.
And when you look at Kelly’s career arc, it makes sense-he’s made 162 of his 172 career starts in a D-backs uniform. Arizona isn’t just where he pitches; it’s where he belongs.
The Diamondbacks, fresh off a season where they pushed deep into October, now bring back their top two arms in the rotation. Zac Gallen, their ace, is returning on a one-year, $22.5 million deal-the same value as the qualifying offer he turned down earlier in the offseason. With Gallen and Kelly back atop the rotation, Arizona’s front-end stability is intact, and that’s no small thing in a league where reliable starting pitching is a premium commodity.
Kelly’s 2025 season with the Rangers was a bit of a mixed bag. After being traded at the deadline for a package of three pitching prospects, he posted a 4.23 ERA over 10 starts, going 3-3.
Not lights-out, but certainly serviceable-and more importantly, he showed he could still compete at a high level. At 37, Kelly’s stuff may not overpower hitters, but his command, experience, and pitch sequencing keep him in games and give his team a chance to win.
That’s exactly what Arizona needs from him now.
Had he chosen San Diego, Kelly likely would’ve slotted into the back half of a rotation that already features Michael King, Nick Pivetta, and Joe Musgrove. While that group has talent, it’s still finding its identity. With Arizona, Kelly steps back into a familiar clubhouse, a system that knows how to get the best out of him, and a rotation where he’s not just another arm-he’s a leader.
Looking ahead, this could be the final chapter of Kelly’s career. He’ll turn 39 next October, and while nothing’s been confirmed, retirement is certainly on the horizon. But for now, he’s back where it all started, anchoring a team with postseason aspirations and mentoring the next wave of Arizona arms.
In the end, the Diamondbacks didn’t just re-sign a pitcher-they brought back a cornerstone.