Red Sox Scouting Diamondbacks' 3.34 ERA Starter as Reliable Deadline Addition

Red Sox Scouting Diamondbacks' 3.34 ERA Starter as Reliable Deadline Addition originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Boston Red Sox have been linked to almost every starting pitcher presumably available at the trade deadline. Although not many viable options fit the Red Sox’s long-term plans, the team may opt for a short-term rental to maximize the team’s potential in 2025.

Look no further than Boston’s interest in Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, who Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the team sent scouts to watch in Phoenix.

Kelly, 36, has been one of the most reliable and underrated starters in baseball since 2021. Outside of an injury-riddled campaign last season, the veteran has topped more than 158 innings in each of the previous four years and is on pace to do so again in 2025.

In 20 starts, Kelly has a 3.34 ERA with 113 strikeouts across 116 innings thus far. Although not someone usually asked to headline a rotation, Kelly’s consistency is alluring potential contenders to his services. Slotting the veteran behind ace Garrett Crochet in a rotation with a surging Lucas Giolito and an emerging Brayan Bello may be exactly what separates the Red Sox in a tight AL Wild Card race.

Kelly should be easier to acquire than his Diamondbacks teammate Zach Gallen, who Boston is also monitoring closely. If Boston hesitate to mortgage the future for a frontline starter, Kelly presents a reliable fallback thanks to his proven postseason track record.

In four postseason starts, Kelly has a 2.25 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings, which includes a seven-inning masterpiece in the 2023 World Series against the Texas Rangers.

Sometimes the flashy move is the wrong one, and Kelly is anything but flashy. He is an old-school arm that knows how to consistently pitch well, something the Red Sox could use even if it is a short-term partnership.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.