PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back a familiar face as they have agreed to bring back former SP Merrill Kelly on a two-year deal per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
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Jul 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The D-backs are giving Kelly a two-year deal worth $40 million to bring Merrill Kelly back, and it wasn’t about headlines. It was about control of games, of rotations, and of expectations. Kelly has never been the most talented arm in the room, but his value and work ethic shows up where front offices care most, which is consistency. Since becoming a rotation mainstay, he’s regularly given Arizona 30-start reliability, limiting hard contact and keeping the team competitive deep into games. His performance profile of strike-throwing, tempo, and damage control isn’t replaceable, so Arizona felt the need to bring one of their former aces back.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning in game two of the 2023 World Series at Globe Life Field on Oct. 28, 2023, Arlington, Texas. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Where Merrill Kelly helps the Diamondbacks in 2026:
From a strategic standpoint, this deal stabilizes the middle of the rotation while younger arms continue to develop. It allows Arizona to avoid overexposure of prospects and prevents the bullpen from carrying unsustainable workloads. Teams that win in October don’t just chase upside; they protect their floors. Kelly has pitched in high-leverage postseason moments and understands how to navigate failure without spiraling, such as his help in the 2023 World Series run. Arizona knew they needed to go all-in on pitching this year, and knew Kelly could be an answer for them going forward.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) reacts after leaving the game with a 11-0 lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning during Game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, 2023 © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Zoom out nationally, and this move reflects a broader trend of contenders paying for certainty rather than youth and upside. At $20 million per year, Kelly’s contract sits below ace money but above replacement-level risk, a deliberate sweet spot. Arizona didn’t just re-sign a pitcher. They reinforced an identity to compete every night while trusting preparation over hype to build a staff that can compete in the National League, and to eventually get back into the MLB postseason by relying on elite starting pitching.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
