As the trade deadline approaches with less than three days to go, the New York Mets are exploring potential acquisitions to boost their pitching rotation. Recent reports have linked the team to right-handed starters Dylan Cease and Sandy Alcantara, but ESPN’s Buster Olney highlighted Merrill Kelly as a prime target for the Mets.
Kelly, a 36-year-old pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, currently boasts a commendable 3.22 ERA over 128.2 innings pitched this season. Notably, excluding a tough outing against the Yankees in early April, his ERA would drop to an impressive 2.66. While Kelly may not be a household name—lacking All-Star selections or major awards—he has proven himself as a reliable starter, recording 580.1 innings with a 3.40 ERA over the past four seasons. Only six pitchers have surpassed him in innings pitched with a better ERA during this timeframe.
The Mets are particularly in need of stability in their starting rotation, having recorded the second-fewest innings pitched by starters in MLB since June 13. This has made pitchers like Kelly attractive, as he has consistently thrown at least six innings in seven of his last ten starts. Adding him could provide not just a top-of-the-rotation option but also strategic flexibility. For instance, it would allow the Mets to consider moving Clay Holmes back to the bullpen, or potentially switch to a six-man rotation to maximize rest for their existing starters.
Interestingly, the Diamondbacks have recently shown signs of shifting toward a selling stance in anticipation of the trade deadline. While they remain hesitant to completely commit to a fire sale, Kelly stands out as a valuable asset—especially with a contract that expires at the end of the season, making him a cost-effective rental for teams like the Mets.
With the Mets scheduled to play a critical series against the San Diego Padres, the clock is ticking for them to solidify their options. Should Kelly be traded, he may have already made his final appearance for the Diamondbacks.
Overall, this potential deal could significantly enhance the Mets’ pitching depth, offering hope for a stronger second half of the season as they aim to contend for postseason play.