Red Sox Whiff on Trade For 36-Year-Old Righty Who Was Drafted 3 Times
July 31, 2025
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As the MLB trade deadline fast approached on Thursday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox were still reportedly “pursuing” starting pitching, according to a report by MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The top name on the Red Sox list appeared to be a pitcher who would be a “rental” only, becoming a free agent following the season — but one who is already 36 years old and whose journey to the big leagues was a lengthy one, to say the least.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 19: Craig Breslow chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox before the game against the New York Mets at Fenway Park on May 19, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. BOSTON, MA – MAY 19: Craig Breslow chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox before the game against the New York Mets at Fenway Park on May 19, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Winslow Townson/Getty Images
That pitcher is Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly, who has won 62 games in his eight-year career, all spent in Arizona, while losing 50 and boasting a solid career ERA of 3.74.
But the Red Sox, who missed on other targets on deadline day, whiffed on Kelly too. With just about 30 minutes before the 6 p.m. Eastern deadline, Kelly was dealt to the Texas Rangers.
In this season, Kelly has been a workhorse, starting 22 games for an ERA of 3.33 in 128 2/3 innings. His fielding independent pitching number is 3.53, indicating that he has benefited somewhat from the Diamondbacks defense making plays behind him.
Kelly’s professional career got off to a halting start. The Houston native was drafted three times, first by the Baltimore Orioles in the 37th round back in 2007. Next, the Cleveland Guardians (then still called the Indians) took him in 2008, in the 2009 draft.
More MLB: Astros Reportedly Add Lefty Outfield Bat From Marlins Before Trade Deadline
Kelly decline to sign both times, choosing to pitch at Arizona State, where he was drafted after a single season — this time by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round.
But the Rays apparently saw no place for Kelly in their plans — and neither did anyone else. Kelly went through the Rule 5 draft, which allows any team to claim players from other teams that have not put those players on their 40-man rosters.
Even for what amounted to a price tag of free, no one claimed Kelly, and the Rays released him in 2014.
Kelly then pitched in the Korean Baseball Organization for four seasons before the Diamondbacks signed him.
More MLB: Red Sox Drop Ball With Top Rumored Pitching Trade Target Going To AL East Rival
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