Boston Red Sox could target veteran starting pitcher with 3.34 ERA before trade deadline.
Red Sox Could Target Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Just like that, the Boston Red Sox are competitive again.
A 10-game win streak has the Red Sox at 53-45 and well-positioned to make a second-half run at the postseason. This seemed like an improbable notion just a few weeks ago, but Boston is rolling and can look for improvements at the deadline.
The most glaring need is starting pitching.
Hunter Dobbins suffered a torn ACL and will not return until next season. Tanner Houck, who has been a disaster when healthy, won’t be back until after the All-Star break. Kutter Crawford is likely out until 2026. Nick Burdi and Liam Hendriks have been sidelined, too.
According to Logan Mullen of NESN, Boston could go after Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, should the team take the seller’s route at the end of the month.
Kelly, 37 in October, is a pending free agent and does not necessarily suit the Red Sox’s timeline. They have proven they are a good team, but will they go all-in this early into the Big Three era?
Perhaps a package of prospects such as LHP Connelly Early (No. 9) and LHP Payton Toll (No. 14) could get a Kelly deal done. At the right price, he is still a worthy investment and a significant upgrade over the current staff member, Walker Buehler.
On the season, Kelly is 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA, a 3.47 FIP, and 113 strikeouts to 33 walks over 116 innings. Buehler is 6-6 with a 6.12 ERA, a 5.95 FIP, and 63 strikeouts to 35 walks over 78 innings.
The Diamondbacks will have plenty of suitors should Kelly be made available, and while it could be a scary notion for Red Sox fans, he could be the piece that turns a good ball club into a great one.
Related: Red Sox Reportedly Narrowing in on Certain Trade Deadline Targets
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
