Merrill Kelly signing reaction<\/p>\n
[SI] Why Merrill Kelly Signing was a Necessary Risk for Diamondbacks<\/a> – Kelly does provide what Arizona needs more than anything \u2014 reliable innings coverage. While health isn\u2019t a complete guarantee, Kelly generally is able to deliver five-plus innings each and every start. 2024 is the only season in recent history he hasn\u2019t provided 150 or more frames.And while $40 million isn\u2019t exactly a cheap contract, it\u2019s about as low-risk, low-cost and low-commitment as it gets, outside of a signing like Michael Soroka (who has significantly worse numbers in recent seasons and significantly more injury history).<\/p>\n [AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly on verge of reunion<\/a> – The deal makes sense for both sides. Kelly, who had been pitching for the Diamondbacks on a team-friendly extension before he was sent to Texas in a deadline deal, gets a contract at market value. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, get the proven starter they desperately needed… Kelly went to high school and college in Arizona and makes his home in Valley, and he made no secret that he was more than open to signing back with the Diamondbacks. However, the club\u2019s payroll situation complicated the possibility of a reunion. The team ultimately found a way to get a deal done.<\/p>\n [Dbacks.com] D-backs bringing back Merrill Kelly on 2-year deal (sources)<\/a> – Kelly said just before the Trade Deadline, \u201cAt this point in my career, I think anything can happen, so the chance to win is obviously in the forefront of my mind. That all being said, I love being here. I have always loved being here. I would always be open to being a snake moving forward.\u201d After inking Mike Soroka to a deal last week, the signing of Kelly helps fill some of the holes in Arizona\u2019s starting rotation. Arizona has discussed trading All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte this offseason to help its rotation and bullpen, and sources indicated the signing of Kelly doesn\u2019t have a big impact on that happening one way or the other.<\/p>\n [Dbacks Under Review] Merrill Kelly Returns to Arizona: D-backs\u2019 Rotation Upgraded<\/a> – Kelly\u2019s market was more or less set by the two-year, $46 million extension Seth Lugo signed with the Royals. That piece was published three days before the trade, correctly predicting how much it would take to bring him back to Arizona. It made sense that Arizona paid a premium to bring back the 37-year-old Kelly. The number of starters who can provide 30 starts, 180 innings, and a sub-4.00 ERA continues to shrink. The few who can, which includes both Gallen and Kelly, get paid handsomely. That\u2019s why it took $20 million per year to bring him back.<\/p>\n [Arizona Sports] Report: Diamondbacks bringing back longtime pitcher Merrill Kelly<\/a> – \u201cI\u2019m gonna keep going as long as somebody will give me a big league jersey. I\u2019ve said it multiple times, I would love for that to be here in Arizona,\u201d Kelly told Arizona Sports\u2019 Burns & Gambo back in May. Arizona Sports\u2019 John Gambadoro had reported there was mutual interest between Kelly and the Diamondbacks to renew their partnership. This is a huge value win for the Diamondbacks, who added three of their five best pitching prospects via online rankings for a two-month separation. He\u2019ll even be able to help guide some of the young pitchers Arizona acquired for him.<\/p>\n [ESPN] Diamondbacks bring back RHP Merrill Kelly. Grade: B+<\/a> – The lofty grade handed out here is not just for this signing, but also for the exemplary work by Mike Hazen and his staff at the deadline. With the Diamondbacks\u2019 status as a contender teetering, and Kelly headed for the market, they brought back three pitching prospects from the Rangers in exchange for loaning them Kelly for a couple of months. Now Kelly is a Snake once more after signing a deal Arizona would surely have given him had he never been dealt. And for their trouble, the Diamondbacks deepened their organizational depth chart.<\/p>\n [MLB.com] How this year\u2019s free-agent starters succeed without high velocity<\/a> – There\u2019s one place you won\u2019t find a lot of velo right now: the starting pitcher free-agent market. Now that Dylan Cease has signed, there just aren\u2019t many free-agent starters this winter who throw hard — at least not in the mid-to-upper levels of the market. That\u2019s pretty interesting… If you\u2019re a team looking for a big fastball to add to your starting rotation right now, there just aren\u2019t a ton of options out there. The top group of MLB starters still available — Valdez, Ranger Su\u00e1rez, Michael King and Zac Gallen — all sit in the 90-to-94 mph range.<\/p>\n