The Boston Red Sox are struggling as of late. After the trade of Rafael Devers, they have now lost five games in a row and have fallen to 40-42 on the season.
While they are losing ground in the American League East, they remain in the mix for the final Wild Card spot, sitting just two games back.
But to clinch a spot in the postseason, Boston needs to make a move or two to boost its roster. The starting rotation in particular needs work.
Nick Selbe of Sports Illustrated listed right-hander Merrill Kelly as a trade candidate and had Boston as a potential landing spot.
"Kelly has never made an All-Star team or garnered Cy Young votes, but he’s been one of the league’s most solid starters since coming over from the KBO in 2019. His 3.78 ERA over that span ranks 14th (min. 800 IP), ahead of hurlers like Dylan Cease and Aaron Nola," Selbe writes.
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Kelly is 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA and 2.2 WAR in 16 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also helped get them to the World Series back in 2023.
The 36-year-old is on an expiring contract, and rental pitchers typically cost significant hauls at the trade deadline, so Boston may have to pay up in order to land him.
However, they have the prospect capital to get a deal done. Craig Breslow has even stated that he hopes to add to the club rather than sell.
It remains to be seen if the D-Backs will actually sell pieces off at the deadline, as they still have a shot at a Wild Card spot. But if they do, Boston could benefit from having Kelly around, as he could serve as a No. 2 starter next to staff ace Garrett Crochet.
We'll see if Boston ends up showing interest.
More MLB: Red Sox could target $10.9 million D-Backs All-Star to boost lineup