Diamondbacks DFA Last Remaining Piece From Paul Goldschmidt Trade

Catcher Carson Kelly, initially acquired as a part of the Paul Goldschmidt trade, has been designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks due to his recent struggles at the plate.

Despite a promising start with the team, Kelly's offensive performance this year, hitting a lackluster .226/.283/.298 slash line, prompted his removal from the roster.

Now that Arizona #Dbacks catcher Carson Kelly has been designated for assignment, the D-backs have no one left from their Paul Goldschmidt trade with the #Stlcards
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 13, 2023

The decision to part ways with him rather than retaining him through arbitration signifies a significant shift, as none of the players obtained in the Goldschmidt trade remain on the current Diamondbacks' roster.

This move highlights the team's commitment to reevaluating their roster composition and performance strategies.

As the Diamondbacks look to refine their roster, they have chosen to elevate Jose Herrera as their preferred backup over Kelly.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Moreno's emergence as the primary catcher reflects the team's forward-looking approach.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo on the decision to let Carson Kelly go: pic.twitter.com/vd4OFlsim4
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) August 13, 2023

With Kelly owed the remainder of a $4.3 million deal for this season, he is likely to go through waivers; if unclaimed, a potential assignment to the Triple-A Reno minor league level offers a chance for him to regain his form and potentially return to the MLB in the future.

Over his eight years in the MLB, Kelly has compiled a .223/.308/.378 triple-slash line, with 44 home runs, 163 RBIs, three stolen bases and 151 runs scored across 447 games played. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports