Crimson Sox reportedly sending scouts to take a look at Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly

Crimson Sox

Arizona’s Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly could be two of the highest pitchers moved forward of the July 31 commerce deadline.

By Conor Roche

July 20, 2025 | 1:18 PM

3 minutes to learn

With the commerce deadline quick approaching, the Crimson Sox are doing a little homework on two of the highest notable beginning pitchers who could possibly be moved earlier than the tip of July.

The Crimson Sox have despatched scouts to observe Diamondbacks beginning pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly forward of their upcoming begins in Arizona, USA At present‘s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday. The Yankees have additionally reportedly despatched scouts to Arizona to concentrate on these two pitchers, together with Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

Kelly is scheduled to begin towards the Cardinals on Sunday, whereas Gallen is slated to begin the Diamondbacks’ recreation towards the Astros on Monday.

Of these two pitchers, Kelly has had the stronger 2025 season. The 36-year-old righty is 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched over his first 20 begins.

Gallen, in the meantime, arguably has the upper upside between the 2 pitchers. Nonetheless, the righty, who’ll flip 30 in early August, is 7-10 with a poor 5.40 ERA this season. He additionally has a 1.374 WHIP and 110 strikeouts over 115 innings pitched by way of his first 20 begins of the season.

Whereas Gallen has struggled, there’s some motive to assume he may flip his season round. That is by far the worst stretch of pitching in his seven-year profession, as he was an NL Cy Younger candidate within the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He truly led the NL in WHIP within the former of these two seasons, which marked the primary of two top-five finishes for him within the Cy Younger vote. His 4.80 FIP would additionally counsel that he’s been a bit unfortunate this season, too.

Gallen can be set to turn out to be a free agent this offseason. So, having a powerful efficiency within the last months of the season may assist him web a big payday this offseason. Buying Gallen months earlier than he hits free company may, theoretically, give the Crimson Sox an incumbent benefit. However Gallen is represented by Scott Boras, so there wouldn’t be any ensures of him re-signing.

Kelly can be set to turn out to be a free agent this offseason. Because the Diamondbacks entered Sunday 4.5 video games out of the final wild card spot within the Nationwide League, Gallen and Kelly’s pending free company may make it simpler for Arizona to commerce these two gamers on the deadline.

Gallen and Kelly aren’t the one two pending free brokers on the Diamondbacks’ roster who could possibly be of curiosity for the Crimson Sox forward of the commerce deadline. Standout first baseman Josh Naylor can be within the last yr of his deal.

Regardless that Naylor would give the Crimson Sox one other left-handed hitter of their lineup, he’d present some stability at a place that they’ve needed to shuffle lots of gamers at over the past couple of years. Getting into Sunday, the 28-year-old Naylor has a .291 batting common to go together with a .813 OPS and 11 homers this season.

Beginning pitching and first base are broadly seen because the Crimson Sox’ high two wants forward of the commerce deadline. In actual fact, MLB on Fox insider Ken Rosenthal stated that Boston will search upgrades at these two positions throughout Saturday’s Crimson Sox-Cubs recreation.

“[The Red Sox and Cubs] are also searching for the identical factor: A beginning pitcher ok to take the ball in a postseason sequence,” Rosenthal stated. “The issue may be very few of these pitchers are prone to be out there, and these groups produce other wants as nicely.

“Each are searching for a nook infielder — the Crimson Sox a primary baseman and the Cubs a 3rd baseman. And each, like all contenders, are additionally prone to discover bullpen assist.”

The commerce deadline is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.