When a team already armed with one of baseball’s best rotations (ERA 3.16) doubles down for October, it’s a clear message that they’re all in. For the Texas Rangers, who are sitting at No. 3 in the AL West, the acquisition of this player isn’t just about adding another reliable arm; it’s about making sure that the crown doesn’t slip through their fingers again. And for fans wondering why this 36-year-old player with a World Series pedigree was the choice, the answer lies in both his past heroics and the Rangers’ present urgency.

On July 31, just before the MLB trade deadline, the Rangers acquired veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for three pitching prospects: LHP Kohl Drake (Rangers’ No. 5 prospect), LHP Mitch Bratt (No. 9), and RHP David Hagaman (No. 13). Trading Kelly, who’s in the second year of his $18 million extension, wasn’t easy for the Diamondbacks. GM Mike Hazen even described it as “tough,” calling the pitcher “one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.” 

On the contrary, for the Rangers, Kelly’s arrival isn’t just a headline-grabbing trade. It’s a hard reset—a sign that Texas refuses to let their season fizzle out, and is all-in for another shot at October glory. MLB Network Radio host Jim Memolo painted a clear picture of how this newest addition might just be what the Rangers needed. “He’s the guy… It’s intriguing with Texas now to have Merrill Kelly, Eovaldi, and deGrom all in the same rotation, should they be able to get to the playoffs,” he said on the latest episode. 

Even GM Chris Young commented on the acquisition, “We do a lot of analysis in terms of what are the best ways to make this team even stronger… Sometimes that’s adding to a strength, and sometimes that’s improving a weakness.” Kelly, a 2023 World Series standout who shut down Texas in Game 2, brings a 3.22 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 128.1 innings this year. “As we went through the discussions, it became clear to us that pitching was a way that we could really make this team better, and we were focused on it,” he added about the team’s decision to acquire Kelly, via Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

The decision stems from more than just depth concerns. Texas has watched Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer spend extended time on the injured list, while Nathan Eovaldi has battled right bicep fatigue. Kelly offers durability, having logged 200+ innings twice in the past four seasons, and playoff mettle, carrying a 2.25 ERA in last year’s postseason. 

Adding Kelly also changes the dynamic of the AL West race itself. At this point in the game, every start matters. The Houston Astros’ offense remains potent, and the Seattle Mariners boast one of MLB’s best bullpens. Kelly’s consistency could mean the difference between hosting a Wild Card series and securing a direct path to the ALDS. His addition not only strengthens Texas’s rotation but also perfectly aligns with manager Bruce Bochy’s evolving strategy, signaling a new phase for the Rangers. 

Bruce Bochy’s tactical shift redefined the Rangers’ 2025 Season

Following a 2024 campaign where the Rangers missed the postseason after winning the World Series the year prior, manager Bochy made noticeable changes to his approach. Texas is leaning less on explosive offense and more on pitching stability, a pivot underscored by Kelly’s acquisition. His experience handling high-pressure games changes how Texas can approach October. Bochy now has the luxury of setting up a three-ace rotation that allows for aggressive bullpen management rather than scrambling to fill innings.

The Rangers currently lead the AL in rotation ERA and are near the top in bullpen performance, a stark contrast to their heavy-hitting focus in recent seasons. Earlier this season, in May, he made a pretty gutsy call, going with a lineup full of right-handed hitters against Framber Valdez to wrap up their series against the Astros. And it turned out pretty well, as Valdez is a lefty who’s been killing it against lefties all season. It showed Bochy’s willingness to shake things up because the offense hasn’t been clicking. 

This shift is already paying dividends, giving Rangers the durability and flexibility they lacked last year when injuries to key starters derailed their repeat hopes. With Kelly slotting in as a postseason-tested arm and Bochy orchestrating a pitching-first blueprint, the Rangers look more balanced and resilient than in previous seasons.