The Zack Kelly signing isn't going to make or break the Red Sox' offseason. But it at least supplies fans with some conversation during this slowest-of-slow free agent and trade markets.
Kelly last pitched in 2019 -- posting a 3.82 ERA in 20 appearances (13 starts) for the Angels' Double-A team -- having signed with Los Angeles as a free agent out of Newberry College.
But the right-hander ultimately was one of 39 minor-leaguers let go by the Angels after Kelly had experienced elbow issue a few months earlier during spring training.
He would ultimately undergo the same procedure experienced by free agent pitcher Rich Hill, with Kelly already back to throwing off a mound.
The timing of Kelly's release seemed curious considering his success throughout what had been three-season professional career. It was a plight that led the hurler to be featured in a New York Times piece highlighting some of the issues facing minor-leaguers such as Kelly.
“It’s kind of frustrating because I felt like I had a career that wasn’t worthy of getting released at this point,” Kelly told The Times for the June 12 story.
It's a track record the Red Sox are willing to place a bet on.