$40 Million Investment, Two Years Per Source: A Deep Dive
- Arizona secures a key piece of its pitching rotation,bringing back veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly after he tested free agency.
- The Arizona Diamondbacks and right-handed pitcher merrill Kelly agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract on Sunday, February 18, 2024, pending a physical, according to reports from MLB.com.
- Merrill Kelly's path to becoming "Merrill the Mainstay" wasn't direct.
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Merrill Kelly Returns too the Diamondbacks on Two-Year,$40 Million Deal
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Arizona secures a key piece of its pitching rotation,bringing back veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly after he tested free agency.
Deal Details and Confirmation
The Arizona Diamondbacks and right-handed pitcher merrill Kelly agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract on Sunday, February 18, 2024, pending a physical, according to reports from MLB.com. MLB.com’s source confirmed the agreement,though the team has not yet officially announced the signing.
Kelly’s Journey to Arizona
Merrill Kelly’s path to becoming “Merrill the Mainstay” wasn’t direct. Initially drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Baseball-Reference shows he didn’t make his Major League debut with the rays.After the 2014 season, he embarked on a four-year stint playing professional baseball in Korea.
The Diamondbacks signed Kelly in December 2018,and he debuted with the team in 2019. He quickly established himself as a reliable starter, overcoming initial struggles to become a consistent presence in the Arizona rotation.
The “Mainstay” Emerges
Kelly’s consistency earned him the affectionate nickname “Merrill the Mainstay” from Diamondbacks fans. He has consistently delivered quality starts, becoming a vital component of the team’s pitching staff. his durability and ability to eat innings have been particularly valuable.
The 2024 season was the only full season Kelly missed with the Diamondbacks, as he underwent shoulder surgery in May 2024. Arizona Central reported on Kelly’s surgery, wich ended his 2024 season prematurely.
Kelly’s Statistical Performance with the Diamondbacks
Here’s a look at Kelly’s regular season statistics with the Arizona Diamondbacks:
| Year | G | GS | W-L | ERA | IP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 14 | 8-5 | 3.90 | 87.0 | 73 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 3-2 | 2.87 | 3
|