Here are some things to know from Friday:
This was something both sides had in mind in July
Hazen didn’t want to be in the position of trading Kelly at the Trade Deadline, but Arizona’s postseason chances were slim at the time, and the Rangers offered a package that included three of their top pitching prospects.
“Home is where the heart is,” Kelly said. “We couldn’t be happier with how it worked out, and couldn’t be happier to be back. Anytime you get traded, there’s always a bit of doubt with whatever that situation is, but the conversations that I had with the front office during the trade, right off the bat, they expressed interest in me coming back. We all know the nature of the beast in this industry, and we know that most times, nothing’s forever. You know, luckily, I’m in a spot where I get to come back and try to make it forever.”
There were no serious contract extension talks during the season
While the Diamondbacks always wanted to bring Kelly back, Hazen explained why there were not serious contract talks during the season.
When a player is as close to free agency as Kelly was, the player wants an extension that reflects what he thinks he would get just a few months later. The team, meanwhile, hopes to pay less in exchange for the security of an extension.
“Once a player gets to the last year, [it’s] very complicated to do a deal,” Hazen said. “I’m not saying it can’t happen; it’s just I find it to be more complex.”
Kelly held no ill will following the trade. He knew in his mind that if Arizona made a fair offer after the season, he would likely take it.
“I think at the time, it was the right move [for the organization],” Kelly said. “I think my value at the time was at an all-time high, and I think they saw it as an opportunity to do what they just did. I think they went into it knowing that I did want to come back here, and that the feeling was mutual. They took, I think, three of the top pitching prospects from Texas, and brought them into the organization, and then were able to sign me back. I think it made more sense to try to trade me in hopes that I would come back rather than extend me at the time when they were in a place where they weren’t sure if they were going to make the playoffs.”
Kelly already got to celebrate his return a bit with his teammates
Kelly was in Mexico for the wedding of Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas when Kelly’s deal was finalized. It allowed him to share the news with his former, and once again current, teammates in attendance, including Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Blaze Alexander, Jake McCarthy and Pavin Smith.
“I tried to keep it as low-key as I could,” Kelly said. “I didn’t want to overshadow what the real celebration was of A.T. getting married, but everyone was excited. So just being able to agree to the terms and then kind of celebrate with all the guys that I knew I’d be back in the locker room with was a pretty cool experience.”
The Diamondbacks aren’t done adding pitching
The signing of Kelly, along with the signing of Mike Soroka, gives the Diamondbacks five veteran starters, but Hazen said the team will still look to add pitching — both starters and relievers.
One way to do that could be to deal Ketel Marte, who has been the subject of trade rumors all winter. So far, no team has made an offer Arizona found enticing enough to pursue, and Hazen said he had no updates concerning the All-Star second baseman.
