A $13.5 Million Panic Move? Craig Breslow’s “Shocking” Hunt for Kelly Triggers “Desperation” Claims
(BOSTON) — The Boston Red Sox’s “shocking” pursuit of a 37-year-old free agent has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with analysts and fans alike labeling the move a “$13.5 MILLION GAMBLE” driven by pure desperation.
The target in question is reportedly veteran starter Merrill Kelly. While the Red Sox are inarguable need of pitching, the rumored price tag—a one-year, $13.5 million deal—is being seen as a “panic move” for a player critics claim is “overpaid and past his prime.”
The “Desperation” Debate Ignites
The “desperation” claims do not come from a vacuum.
The Red Sox’s 2026 starting rotation is currently a minefield of question marks. Behind ace Garrett Crochet and a solid Brayan Bello, the depth evaporates.
- Tanner Houck is expected to miss all of 2026 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
- Both Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are also attempting to return from the same procedure.
- Lucas Giolito, a key 2025 contributor, has declined his option and is testing free agency.
This leaves Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow with a depleted roster and no internal solutions. He must sign starting pitching. The market knows this, forcing Boston to pay a “desperation tax.”
“Overpaid and Past His Prime”?
This is the core of the $13.5 million gamble. Is Merrill Kelly the answer, or just an expensive stopgap?
Kelly, 37, is a solid innings-eater. He posted a respectable 3.22 ERA with Arizona last season before being traded. However, the red flags are undeniable. After joining the Texas Rangers, his ERA ballooned to 4.23, a significant sign of decline.
Critics argue that $13.5 million is an extreme overpay for a pitcher on the wrong side of 35 who is showing clear signs of being “past his prime.”
If Kelly stays healthy and provides 180 innings, Breslow looks like a savvy realist. But if the 37-year-old’s decline continues, or he lands on the injured list, this “shocking pursuit” will be remembered as a $13.5 million mistake that defined a failed offseason.
