The San Francisco Giants need a starting pitcher. Or two.
Their need for at least one became clear when they sent down former #4 starter Hayden Birdsong to AAA on Tuesday July 22, 2025. They only have four starters on the roster now, and one of them is Justin Verlander. Verlander has been a liability when he pitches every fifth day, and still hasn’t been credited with a win this season for the Giants.
They don’t necessarily need a superstar. San Francisco already has two of those in the rotation: Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. They just need someone who will give them the chance to win baseball games and not give them up in the early innings like Birdsong and Verlander have been doing.
A solid No. 3 or No. 4 MLB starter, basically.
Arizona Diamondbacks right hander Merrill Kelly is the kind of pitcher who fits that description perfectly.
The Giants could probably get him at a decently affordable price — a smaller trade package headlined by a prospect like Sabin Ceballos.
Would the DBacks Trade Kelly?
Kelly is the perfect trade candidate for Arizona, to be frank.
He’s in his contract year and he’ll turn 37 before becoming a free agent next year. If the Diamondbacks, who have had a disappointing season sitting in fourth place in the National League West, can get any young prospects in the building in exchange for Kelly, that’s a deal they should take.
He has spent his whole career since 2019 in Arizona, but this is a trade not a free agent decision. Kelly’s tenure is unlikely to factor into Arizona’s decision to keep him or ship him off.
Barring a crazy winning streak by Arizona, a Kelly injury, or a lack of good offers from contending teams, Kelly should be on the move this deadline.
The question remains if the Giants would be a willing and agreeable trade partner.
Does Kelly Fit In San Francisco?
Kelly is a perfect fit for the Giants.
Giants fans may balk at his age. Bringing a 37 year old pitcher isn’t ideal, especially if you’re going to trade a young prospect in exchange for him.
Kelly’s résumé also doesn’t jump off the page. He’s never made an All-Star game or won any awards.
But the Giants are competing for a playoff spot. In September and October, they need a guy who can start every five days, go 6 innings and limit the opposing offense to 3 runs or less.
Kelly is that guy. He is leading the MLB with 21 starts so far this season and has a 3.32 ERA in 122 innings. He’s a top 10 pitcher in innings pitched and gives up around 2-3 runs a start. What more could Giants fans want?
Kelly is, after all, in the midst of what could be the best full season of his career when it’s all said and done.
There may be better fits out there, like Mitch Keller. I, for one, think the Giants should get both Keller and Kelly to replace Birdsong and Verlander.
But the Giants want to preserve their prospect pool and compete for a championship this year. Kelly is a cheaper buy.
What do you think, Giants fans? Should San Francisco swing a deal for Merrill Kelly?
The San Francisco Giants Should Trade For This Starting Pitcher