One of the Arizona Diamondbacks' top targets has reportedly disclosed a list of teams he would prefer not to join next season, and surprisingly, the New York Yankees are among them.

According to reports on the morning of December 14, the Arizona Diamondbacks and veteran right-handed starting pitcher Merrill Kelly agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth $40 million, pending a physical.

Rangers sign free agent catcher from Diamondbacks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Texas Rangers have already signed one catcher this offseason in the form of Danny Jansen. They look set to add another, Jose Herrera.

He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks at age 30 in 2019 and solidified himself as a key piece of the rotation in 2022, when he pitched a career-high 200 ⅓ innings over 33 starts.

After a few months away from the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly will return to the team in 2026. Kelly will reportedly rejoin the team on a two-year deal after a strong run in Arizona and an uneven one with the Texas Rangers.

The Diamondbacks have signed right-hander Isaiah Campbell to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. The ACES client has been assigned to the Triple-A Reno Aces but will presumably receive an invite to big league camp in spring training.

Veteran starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has agreed to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $40 million, two-year deal, according to a person familiar with the move.

The Arizona Diamondbacks nearly made a late push to the postseason in 2025, and now they are gearing up to get back to playing October baseball once again next season. On Sunday, the Diamondbacks agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract with starting pitcher Merrill Kelly, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

After signing right-hander Michael Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million deal, the Arizona Diamondbacks are still in need of rotation help.