D-Backs ship Merrill Kelly to Rangers
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded right-hander Merrill Kelly to the Texas Rangers for left-handers Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt and right-hander David Hagaman, the teams announced Thursday.
Kelly is in the midst of another solid season. The 36-year-old owned a 3.22 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 22 starts for the D-Backs before the swap.
The seven-year veteran gives the Rangers a formidable top three in their rotation, joining Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi.
Kelly is owed the remainder of his $7-million salary for this season before becoming a free agent at the end of the campaign.
Drake, 25, posted a 3.10 ERA in 72 2/3 minor-league frames across two levels this year. He's the Rangers' No. 5-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
The 22-year-old Bratt owns a 6-3 record with a 3.18 ERA and 10.5 K/9 in 90 2/3 frames at Double-A Frisco. He's the No. 9-ranked prospect in the Rangers' system.
Hagaman, 22, owns a 2.82 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in eight minor-league starts this campaign. MLB Pipeline ranked him as Texas' No. 13 prospect.
The Rangers also added right-handed reliever Phil Maton in a trade Thursday with the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis received left-hander Mason Molina, right-hander Skylar Hales, and international signing bonus money in the swap.