San Francisco, seeking dependable mid-rotation depth, could target Diamondbacks’ veteran Merrill Kelly in a trade. This mock deal outlines a package that fits both teams’ timelines.
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, the San Francisco Giants are eyeing rotation upgrades to complement their strong staff. Rather than pursuing high-risk aces, they’re reportedly interested in Merrill Kelly, a steady veteran from Arizona. Kelly offers consistent production (3.32 ERA, 118 strikeouts) and mid-rotation reliability.
He fits the Giants’ model, complementing Logan Webb and Robbie Ray with trackable starts and postseason experience, without overpaying in top prospects. Here’s why this trade makes sense for both sides and what it could look like.
Didn’t realize how nice of a trade chip Merrill Kelly is. 116 IP, 3.34 ERA, 3.47 FIP in 20 GS. pic.twitter.com/gllBmj2UNU
— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) July 15, 2025
Why the Giants Would Trade for Kelly
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Rotation Stability: Kelly’s 3.32 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 21 starts make him a reliable “acesque” No. 3 or No. 4 starter.
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Postseason Experience: He starred in the 2023 postseason, delivering efficient and high-leverage innings.
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Affordable Trade Cost: The Giants likely need only mid-tier prospects to land him, avoiding their top-level farm talent.
Why the Diamondbacks Could Be Sellers
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Veteran Rotation Re-tooling: Arizona has slipped to .500 and may pivot toward youth in their rotation decisions.
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Contract Year Asset: With Kelly turning 37 and nearing free agency, the D-backs can extract value before potential decline.
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Strategic Depth Reset: Trading Kelly would replenish their prospect pool ahead of a possible rebuild.
Mock Trade Package
| Giants Receive | Diamondbacks Receive | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Merrill Kelly (RHP starter) | Sabin Ceballos (Top‑50 LHP prospect) | Giants get a reliable mid‑rotation arm; D‑backs add a controllable lefty with upside. |
| Mid‑A position prospect | Extra value and organizational depth for Arizona rebuilding phase. |
Sabin Ceballos crushes his first Spring Training homer … and he knows it off the bat!
The @SFGiants prospect picks a great time to do it too: pic.twitter.com/ZtVWf15LcD
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) March 9, 2025
This mock trade aligns with both club strategies: San Francisco shores up rotation stability without jeopardizing their youth movement, and Arizona capitalizes on Kelly’s value before a potential rebuild. Kelly’s reliability, postseason chops, and modest cost make him a rare win-win for both teams. If the Giants initiate active trade discussions, expect Arizona to field calls and consider offers, especially if they remain outside of WC contention.
