Red Sox reportedly sending scouts to look at Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly

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 top 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 Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday. The Yankees have additionally reportedly despatched scouts to Arizona to give attention to these two pitchers, together with Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

Kelly is scheduled to start out in opposition to the Cardinals on Sunday, whereas Gallen is slated to start out the Diamondbacks’ recreation in opposition to 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. Nevertheless, 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 his first 20 begins of the season.

Whereas Gallen has struggled, there may be some motive to assume he might 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 really 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 recommend that he’s been a bit unfortunate this season, too.

Gallen can also be set to develop into a free agent this offseason. So, having a robust efficiency within the last months of the season might assist him web a big payday this offseason. Buying Gallen months earlier than he hits free company might, 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 also be set to develop into 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 might 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 also be within the last yr of his deal.

Although 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 a variety of gamers at during the last couple of years. Coming 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 considered because the Crimson Sox’ high two wants forward of the commerce deadline. 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 said. “The issue could be very few of these pitchers are more likely to be obtainable, 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 more likely to discover bullpen assist.”

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