The D-backs are in the market for rotation help this offseason, and there’s mutual interest between the team and longtime right-hander Merrill Kelly, reports John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. A reunion with righty Zac Gallen is seen as less likely, he adds. Beyond the “definite” interest in re-signing Kelly, Gambadoro adds that Arizona is open to the idea of bringing Paul Goldschmidt back to Phoenix — albeit in more of a part-time/platoon role at first base.
Kelly, 37, spent six and a half seasons in the Arizona rotation before being traded to the Rangers at this summer’s deadline. The former Rays farmhand broke out in the Korea Baseball Organization from 2015-18 and had never pitched in the majors before the D-backs took a two-year flier on him in the 2018-19 offseason.
That modest investment proved to be a masterstroke. Kelly went on to sign an extension with the Snakes and ultimately made 162 starts with a 3.74 ERA over the course of 953 innings during his time in Arizona. All three of the pitching prospects the Snakes picked up in the trade sending Kelly to Texas now rank among the top 20 or so within the Diamondbacks’ system; Baseball America recently ranked righty David Hagaman their No. 5 prospect. Lefty Kohl Drake and righty Mitch Bratt are further down BA’s list of D-backs prospects but are also closer to the majors. Both could debut in 2026.
Bringing Kelly back to Chase Field after receiving a solid trade return would be a nice sequence for the D-backs. Even when the season was still ongoing, Kelly was asked (during a return series to Arizona as a visitor) about whether he’d be open to returning as a free agent.
“I’ve voiced my love for this place,” Kelly said at the time (video link via 98.7’s Jake Garcia). “I’ve talked to the front office tirelessly about being a D-back for life. That was really my plan. That was real. That was genuine. … So it’s never off the table. Coming home is very attractive, not only for me but also for the family aspect of it. But at the same time, I’ve put myself in a position to have what I hope to be a decent market, so I’m going to have to make a hard decision, business-wise, but coming back and being a D-back is never off the table.”
The D-backs have made no secret about the fact that they’re cutting payroll after topping $200MM for the first time in franchise history last year. With multiple rotation spots and several bullpen roles to fill, that could be a tall order. However, Kelly isn’t going to command the type of long-term megadeal that some of his free agent counterparts can seek, given that he’ll pitch next year at age 37. He’s likely capped at a two-year deal on the open market, which surely only enhances his appeal to the Diamondbacks. Arizona currently projects for a payroll around $145MM, per RosterResource.
With that in mind, a Goldschmidt reunion also makes some sense for a team that could use a right-handed platoon bat at first base. Pavin Smith seems likely to enter the season as Arizona’s primary option at either first base or designated hitter (depending on how righty-swinging Tyler Locklear looks next spring). Smith has hit .262/.357/.475 with 17 homers in 446 plate appearances across the past two seasons, but he’s been limited by injury and nearly all of that production came versus right-handed pitching. The lefty-swinging Smith has just 47 left-on-left plate appearances since 2024 and is a career .222/.296/.301 hitter versus southpaws.
Goldschmidt, at 38 years old, is no longer the annual MVP threat he once was. He spent 2025 with the Yankees and got out to a torrid start before limping to a sub-par finish over the final four months of play. His .274/.328/.403 batting line was about league average, but Goldschmidt batted only .226/.277/.333 (69 wRC+) from June 1 onward.
One thing he managed to do all season, however, was to pummel left-handed pitching, just as he always has. Goldschmidt posted an awful .247/.289/.329 line against righties but decimated lefties at a .336/.411/.570 clip in 168 turns at the plate. He earned $12MM last year, and coming off a poor finish with glaring platoon splits, he’s probably looking at a further pay cut. Critics might label a reunion as a nostalgia bid for a player who is past his prime, but Goldschmidt can still provide value in a limited role. And, with someone this talented, a rebound to better numbers against righties can never be expressly ruled out; Goldschmidt didn’t hit right-handers at all in 2024-25, but he slashed .259/.359/.446 against them as recently as 2023.
Both guys make sense. I think Kelly expressed interest, and Goldy in the desert just feels right.
Goldschmidt makes a lot of sense if he’s good with platoon work. It does seem like he and Smith would dovetail together very nicely.
It’s a good fit, like a lite version of Cutch returning to Pittsburgh, but with a diminished role.
…or Albert Pujols with the Cardinals in his last season of 2022.
I was hoping Kelly would go to Houston. This doesn’t mean he won’t, but now it’ll be harder.
There is no need for the Diamondbacks to try solve their problems with these calculated moves to fix all their glaring needs. Their best option is to add a once in a generation bat–Murakami–to play 1st, 3rd, or DH. With their core, adding Murakami who has the potential to slug 55 homers at Chase Field will make the Snakes the most entertaining team to watch in baseball. As for the pitching you can just sign some guys with some upside and hope for the best!
Murakami is not going to slug 55 Homers at Chase Field, or anywhere else most likely. Plus the Diamondbacks are not going to get into a bidding war for his services against the Dodgers, Mets, or whoever else gets in on him
Mariners.
Look at you, you don’t even know who else is in on him. Dodgers? No. D backs should be in on him (all in).
How did that strategy work out for the Angels when they signed guys like Pujols, Hamilton, and Rendon, and extended Trout (the second time) while making cheap upside plays for their pitching aside from Ohtani?
Or if we’re going wayyy back… Mo Vaughn
“will make the Snakes the most entertaining team to watch in baseball.”
that statement is a good start on “most entertaining.”
That post must have been just a prank bro because it’s that out to lunch. Murakami ‘a once in a generation bat’ is one of the silliest things I’ve read in here in quite a while. A generation for what? A mosquito? Because if you’re talking human generation you’re saying he’s the best bat in 20 years? And in the past 20 years we’ve seen some pretty darn incredible hitters come along. You’re statement suggests he’s better than Ohtani. 55 homers? He hasn’t even faced big league pitching yet and he’s known to have some holes in his swing. He could be the next Joey Gallo. You need to chill out and get a grip on reality.
For his price? He’s young and still has a lot to learn at this level but for that price you are buying the upside which is 50+ homers. Touch grass.
What price pray tell?
Yeah, because that worked so well for them on their previous big international signing (Y. Tomas). :eyeroll:
I agree, but let’s be fair. That was a very different Front Office team. One that relied on “good old boy” logic and thought baseball stopped evolving around 1975. Love or hate Hazen and Co., but you can’t deny they at least play in the modern game.
Both are great leaders too. Goldy can easily transition to the front office and join Gonzo and RJ in similar roles.
Bratt is left handed
A Goldschmidt farewell tour with the D’backs makes sense and should happen. It’s not like he would be taking AB’s away from a big prospect and would be a huge veteran voice in the clubhouse, which they’ve been missing since Longoria left
It would also probably clinch it that he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Diamondback.
Is Zack Greinke next?
How did this guy get washed up after winning MVP 3 yrs ago?
He’s 38. Father Time is undefeated
So is pu$$y. My ex is proof.
Those numbers against lefties suggest he’s still extremely good in certain situations. That’s not washed. Just a bit more limited.
Good if not an over pay for goldie. That would give them 3 useable starters and a minimal bullpen. Probably should look at this year as retooling. Get burnes healthy, figure out lawler.
Retool? Porcupine knows absolutely nothing about the Diamondbacks. After trading Kelly, Suarez and Naylor at the trade deadline, they had a chance at the postseason up to the 160th game of the year last season! Does that sound like a team that needs to retool?
You seem more prickly than the porcupine lol.
The only reason we had a shot at the playoffs was because of an epic Mets collapse. This team is a long way from competing as it stands currently. I’d love both Goldy and Merrill back, but we also need to add a high octane back end arm and a young controllable starter. Marte needs to go for this team to compete…not sure ownership or front office has the guts for that risk.
Kelly most certainly wants to return to the snakes but this is likely his last payday and he will require the snakes are the top bidder. Goldy really revs up the hoi polloi, but he doesn’t move the needle.
Snakes are going to take a step back in 2026.