MLB Trade Rumors: 4 Best Trade Destinations for Merrill Kelly

As we head toward next week's MLB Trade Deadline, we're starting to get revelations on who truly might be the most likely candidates to be dealt. We even looked at an insider's breakdown of top candidates by percentage chance of getting traded.

Merrill Kelly has emerged as the top trade candidate from the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation to be moved, ahead of Zac Gallen (due to performance in the 2025 season).

Kelly, a 36-year-old righthander, has been consistently a top performer in the Snakes' rotation for several years now. This season, he has an excellent 3.32 ERA in 21 starts, with a 1.05 WHIP and a 118:37 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Only once in the last four years has his ERA crept over the 4.00 mark, and even then, in 2024, it was only 4.03.

With that, we look at, according to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the four best trade fits for Kelly:

Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays are looking for another starter to solidify their staff and bolster their chances at holding onto top spot in the AL East division. Kelly would be an ideal fit as a rental. Arizona will look for a decent return, but the Jays' front office of Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro are really playing for their jobs this season, so they'll be willing to overpay.

Boston Red Sox

The BoSox are trying to keep pace with Toronto, and, like them, want to boost an already strong top-3 in the rotation. They can sense how wide open the division, and the AL is, and are expected to go for it. Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have been a very solid top of the rotation, but adding Kelly would boost them past the Jays' threesome of Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios.

Houston Astros

We revealed this possibility this past week. Kelly is Houston-born, and this makes a ton of sense. The Astros have, in fact, been urged to get a deal done for Kelly.

Chicago Cubs

We've been saying it all season, but the Cubs are still looking for another top-end starter to replace Justin Steele, who they lost in the first week of the year. Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have been a terrific one-two punch, but a strong No. 3 could be the knockout they're looking for to solidify their run to the postseason.

The Cubbies are doing their darndest to try to keep pace with the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers, who have soared past them into first place, riding an 11-game winning streak. The Cubs need to do something, and fast.