A solid pay day is coming for a Texas Rangers veteran starting pitcher.
Many expected the Texas Rangers to target offensive upgrades ahead of the MLB trade deadline, but instead, they focused on strengthening their already solid pitching staff.
They added bullpen depth by trading for relievers Phil Maton from the St. Louis Cardinals and Danny Coulombe from the Minnesota Twins. Their rotation also received a major boost when they won the race to land veteran starter Merrill Kelly. Texas outbid the New York Mets with a package that included three top pitching prospects to secure Kelly’s services.
Kelly had been delivering another impressive season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before the trade. Over 22 starts and 128.2 innings, he posted a 3.22 ERA and struck out 121 batters. He’s maintained that high level of performance since joining the Rangers.
Merrill Kelly Has Set Himself Up Nicely for Free Agency
Since the trade, Kelly has started six games for Texas and has been outstanding, recording a 3.11 ERA over 35.1 innings with 28 strikeouts. He’s delivered four straight quality starts, consistently giving the Rangers a chance to win, though the team has only managed a 3-3 record in those outings.
With his continued success, Merrill Kelly is putting himself in a strong position heading into free agency
As Merrill Kelly continues to excel in his age-36 season, it will be intriguing to see what kind of market develops for him in free agency this offseason. He’s wrapping up a three-year, $24 million contract signed prior to the 2023 season and appears poised to cash in once again.
Despite the fact that he’ll be 37 by Opening Day 2026, Kelly has several factors working in his favor. He’s still performing at a high level, and most notably, he won’t be tied to a qualifying offer—something that could make him even more appealing to interested teams.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes Kelly is positioned to land a multi-year deal. “It’s not overpowering, but Kelly’s game is beautiful. His pitch mix and command have given him a real shot at a multi-year contract this winter, even at age 37. Bonus: No qualifying offer since he was dealt midseason,” Passan explained.
Over his career, Kelly has put together a solid track record, compiling a 3.72 ERA across 988.1 innings with 893 strikeouts. He’s elevated his performance in recent seasons, excluding an injury-affected 2024 campaign where he posted a 4.03 ERA. Since 2022, his highest single-season ERA outside of that year is just 3.37.
He’s also been a consistent contributor in terms of value, producing at least 3.5 bWAR in every full season since 2022, again excluding 2024. Even with his age, Kelly’s dependability and ability to eat innings effectively should draw significant interest this winter from teams looking to solidify the back end of their rotation.
