Now let's get a proper evaluation! Cubs Toronto Is Already Hot Over Kelly's Eye, Trade Market Blue Chip Surges
Jun 24, 2025
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Kelly signed an extension with Arizona in April 2022 on the condition of $18 million for two years and $7 million for club options in 2025. Kelly will be the first FA in his life when he finishes this season because the club has implemented the option this year.
Kelly, who played four seasons (2015-2018) with the SK Wyverns and joined Arizona in 2019 to achieve his dream of becoming a major leaguer, can become a 'free body'.
Kelly is 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 16 games as of the 24th (Korea time), so if he maintains his skills now, he can expect a special contract that guarantees an annual salary of more than $10 million for the first time in his life. Kelly has never been paid $10 million a year. It can be said that it has been treated undervalued compared to its ability. In Arizona, he has a seven-year cumulative salary of just $38.5 million,
In the case of top-ranked players who are spending the FA season like Kelly, it is common to appear in the trade market if their team gives up advancing to the playoffs. That's exactly the case with Kelly.
Arizona is ranked fourth in the NL West with 40 wins and 38 losses and seventh in the wild card. The probability of fall baseball is not that high. The FanGraphs have a 28.6% chance of Arizona reaching the playoffs. Arizona has not yet ranked third in the district this season. If it shows no signs of rebounding from its current position, it is likely to launch as a "sellor" in the trade market at the end of July.
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Jim Boden, a columnist for The Athletic, a local media outlet, proposed on the 21st that the Toronto Blue Jays would acquire right-hander Merrill Kelly in exchange for sending left-hander Kendri Rojas and second baseman Sam Shaw to Arizona. "The Blue Jays are focused on strengthening the starting lineup, so veteran right-hander Kelly is very suitable," Boden said. "'Kelly, born and raised in Arizona, would like to finish his career with the Diamondbacks, but if the D-backs move away from the wild-card race, he can get two prospects out of the game, then get him back in the offseason later this year.'
It is a very specific proposal for Arizona's trade proposal.
Another media outlet, Bleacher Report, said on the 24th that the Chicago Cubs can bring in multiple starters for the trade deadline. Baltimore Orioles Jack Epplin and Arizona Merrill Kelly are mentioned' and suggested that if the two players join the Cubs, Imana can build a solid rotation that leads to Shota, Epplin and Kelly, although not a special ace.
The Cubs are also an urgent team that has strengthened its starting lineup as much as Toronto. As of today, the Cubs are leading the NL Central with 46 wins and 32 losses. That means the Cubs have to think about a higher stage after reaching the playoffs.
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Kelly was out at the end of April last year due to a right shoulder injury and returned in August. He is completely out of his shoulder injury. He is tied for sixth in the NL in pitching innings (93 innings), 14th in ERA, 12th in strikeouts (93), 5th in WHIP (1.05), and 5th in hit rate (0.211). If the team is aiming to advance to the postseason, it is inferior to the 2nd or 3rd starter.
Kelly became a winning pitcher in Game 2 of the 2023 World Series against the Texas Rangers with three hits, nine strikeouts, and one run in seven innings. In that year, he pitched 24 innings in four playoff games, posting a 2.25 ERA and 28 strikeouts, and had experience in fall baseball.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
