The New York Mets are struggling with starting pitching depth this season, especially after Griffin Canning ruptured his Achilles tendon, ending his season in the process.

With Canning out and Frankie Montas struggling in his last start, the Mets could be pushed to the trade block to find another reliable starting pitcher.

FanSided’s Christopher Kline recently listed Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly as a potential trade candidate for the Mets to pursue.

“Merrill Kelly has been a paragon of consistency since coming over from the KBO in 2019. He has not been the Arizona Diamondbacks’ best pitcher, but he has arguably been their most dependable,” Kline wrote. “You know what you’re getting here — a deep, varied arsenal of pitches, a solid strikeout clip, and indefatigable poise. Kelly was essential to Arizona’s pennant run in 2023. He can help the Mets mount a similar run in 2025.

“The 36-year-old has a 3.39 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 16 starts with 93 strikeouts in 93.0 innings. Pitching has been an all-too-rare commodity in Arizona this season, but Kelly has risen above the noise to deliver consistent results for one of the National League’s most disappointing teams. A free agent at season’s end, it makes sense for Arizona to cash in on the significant respect Kelly garners around the league, especially at this stage of his career.”

Kelly would be the perfect trade candidate for the Mets to go after. He’s having an excellent season while sitting on an affordable expiring contract.

New York could acquire him for limited prospect capital and let him walk in free agency at the end of the season.

There aren’t many reliable one-year options on the trade market this season, so the Mets will need to jump on the opportunity in the coming weeks.

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