The texas Rangers have acquired veteran pitcher merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal finalized just hours before the MLB trade deadline. The acquisition pushes the Rangers over the $241 million Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold, incurring a 50% surcharge on the overage.
Kelly, 36, brings a 9-6 record and a 3.22 ERA over 22 starts this season to the Rangers’ rotation. his performance has been notably strong as May, with a 2.81 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio approaching 4-to-1 during that span. This move is seen as a important investment in starting pitching, potentially forming one of the league’s top trios in a playoff rotation alongside Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.
The rangers also addressed thier bullpen needs by acquiring left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe from the Minnesota twins in exchange for Class-A pitcher Garrett Horn. The team was reportedly still seeking additional relief pitching as the trade deadline approached.
In exchange for Kelly, the Diamondbacks received a package of prospects: left-handed pitcher Kohl Drake, rising prospect David Hagaman, and left-handed pitcher Mitch Bratt. Kelly has approximately $2.3 million remaining on his current $7 million contract.
The addition of Kelly is expected to provide depth and insurance for the Rangers’ pitching staff, particularly given the significant workloads of deGrom, Jack Leiter, and Kumar Rocker. This move could also lead to Leiter or Rocker transitioning to a bullpen role as leverage arms, further strengthening the relief corps.
