Red Sox Linked to Diamondbacks 3.34 ERA Starter to Anchor Rotation originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Boston Red Sox rotation remains a significant question mark outside of Garrett Crochet. Bryan Bello and Lucas Giolito have done enough to keep Boston in the Wild Card race, but if this team wants to survive a playoff push, reinforcements are needed.

A splashy move for someone like Sandy Alcantara sounds great in theory, but the more realistic path is a low-risk, high-floor addition. Do not be surprised if chief baseball Craig Breslow targets a durable veteran with October experience. Primarily, someone who can eat innings and bring stability to the back end of the rotation.

Among potential trade targets is Arizona Diamondbacks veteran Merrill Kelly, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

Kelly might not be the blockbuster name fans dream of, but he checks every box for what the Red Sox need. The 36-year-old is quietly putting together another standout season, posting a 3.34 ERA over 116 innings. Currently leading the National League in starts, Kelly’s consistency would slot in perfectly behind Crochet and immediately give Boston’s rotation the boost it needs for a serious second-half push.

What makes Kelly even more appealing to Boston is his contract. He’s in the final year of a two-year, $18 million deal, making him a rental with no strings attached. If Kelly performs well, Boston gets another solid rotation piece. If Kelly stumbles, Boston can wash their hands of the then 37-year-old pitcher.

He may not come with ace-level buzz, but Kelly has quietly been one of the most reliable arms in baseball since 2022. Kelly could be the perfect fit for a Red Sox team looking to solidify its staff without emptying the farm system.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

#Red #Sox #Linked #Diamondbacks #ERA #Starter #Anchor #Rotation