The Houston Astros lost one of their most likely free agent targets over the weekend after Merrill Kelly agreed to a reunion with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly was traded to the Astros' arch rival, the Texas Rangers, at last year's deadline, but maintained he wanted to return to the desert after reaching free agency this winter.
Merrill, a Houston native, was thought to be in play for the Astros. After seeing the price tag, however, Houston was undoubtedly going to be on the outside looking in. Merrill inked a two-year deal worth $40 million despite the fact most outlets assumed he'd be taking home considerably less.