Report: AL East Powers Eyeing Diamondbacks Pitching Duo
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have sent eyes to the desert.
Both clubs, seeking rotation upgrades ahead of the MLB trade deadline, recently dispatched scouts to Arizona to evaluate Diamondbacks right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Nightengale reported last week that another AL East team, the Toronto Blue Jays, also have interest in Gallen.
Live scouting brings nuance that data analysis cannot — not just results, but what a pitcher looks like when the wheels come off. Stuff, demeanor, tempo, and body language all matter when teams evaluate trade deadline targets.
Boston has opened the second half with two losses against the Chicago Cubs. They’ll next face off in series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers with a deeper rotation as a clear need.
The Red Sox have not posted a winning record after the trade deadline since 2018, going a combined 31 games under .500 after the All-Star break during that span, according to Nightengale.
Gallen and Kelly offer very different profiles. Gallen, 29, has struggled this season (5.40 ERA) but has recently shown signs of a turnaround. Two of his strongest outings came in July, and he remains just one year removed from an All-Star nod. His raw stuff and past production could make him a strong bounce-back candidate with the right staff.
Kelly, 36, is more about craft than power. The veteran has a 3.34 ERA over 116 innings this year while limiting opponents to a .629 OPS. He does not light up the radar gun, but he commands a deep arsenal and thrives on limiting damage.
Arizona has not made a firm decision to sell, but with both pitchers drawing interest from AL East rivals, the clock is ticking to decipher the best potential return.