The Pittsburgh Pirates could target this relatively low-cost option for their starting pitching staff in MLB free agency.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have never been a team to spend considerable amounts of money in MLB free agency, and it's hard to see that changing this offseason. However, the Pirates could target some low-cost options to bolster their roster.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com recently put together a list of the top free agents heading into the winter, and he tabbed the Pirates as a potential landing spot for pitcher Merrill Kelly.
Kelly spent the 2025 campaign with the Texas Rangers, going 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA while allowing 157 hits and registering 167 strikeouts over 184 innings of work.
A late bloomer, the 37-year-old broke into the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2019 and eventually became a critical piece in their starting rotation, posting consecutive brilliant campaigns in 2022 and 2023 and helping the Diamondbacks make the World Series in the latter.
Kelly doesn't have electrifying stuff, as evidenced by his modest lifetime 8.1 K/9 rate. However, he has impressive control (2.7 BB/9), and his career 3.77 ERA is nothing to sneeze at.
Merrill Kelly. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.What's more, the right-hander has logged a 3.47 ERA since 2022, and aside from 2024 when he missed some time due to a shoulder injury, he has been a very reliable innings eater throughout his major-league career.
So, why does such an old player make sense for Pittsburgh?
Well, if the Pirates are planning on trying to contend for an NL Wild Card spot next season, Kelly would certainly serve as a nice piece in a starting rotation that could absolutely use some depth, and if the Buccos decide to trade Mitch Keller, Kelly could slide in and replace him.
Not only that, but Kelly could also represent a fine midseason trade candidate for Pittsburgh. It's not uncommon for non-playoff teams to sign veterans over the winter with the hope of flipping them for a nice prospect haul the following season.
Given his age, Kelly won't be landing any long-term contracts from anyone, so the Pirates may actually have a shot of signing him. Will they be willing to give him a nice salary? That remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that adding Kelly does compute for Pittsburgh.