This is a bit annoying, maybe you feel frustrated, but in a way it is a success story for the Chicago Cubs. That being said, they just lost their best relief pitcher from the 2025 bullpen as veteran right-hander Brad Keller has agreed to a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
ESPN's Jesse Rogers confirmed on Wednesday that Keller is leaving the Cubs to sign a two-year, $22 million contract with the Phillies.
Who knows if the Phillies try to stretch Keller back out to be ready to cover innings as a starting pitcher, but many Cubs fans obviously wanted a reunion with the right-handed pitcher. This deal certainly seems doable by the Cubs, who have actually invested in multiple free agent relievers this offseason, a change from recent philosophy in their spending. Plus, Keller was one of the few high-leverage relievers remaining in free agency, so you were kind of holding out hope that the Cubs could bring him back.
It's pretty incredible how one year can completely change a player's trajectory. Keller signed a minor league deal with the Cubs last offseason and was a non-roster invitee to spring training. He had to fight for a roster spot and Keller earned it thanks to his stuff playing up out of the bullpen.
Keller had early success in MLB with the Kansas City Royals, but he was on a steady decline since the 2020 season. The right-handed pitcher hit rock bottom in 2024, when he was let go by the Chicago White Sox and tried to stick around in the majors with the Boston Red Sox. Then, fully transitioned into a reliever, Keller became the best bullpen arm for the Cubs in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 75 strikeouts in 68 regular season appearances.
The Cubs eventually turned to Keller as their No. 1 high leverage reliever down the stretch and became the closer in the postseason. Again, credit to him and the Cubs to getting him to this point, signing a $22 million deal after he was a minor league signing last winter. Unfortunately, he won't be back with the Cubs, but his story hopefully continues a great trend of this organization finding great value for the bullpen from unexpected sources.
Still, despite the recent additions of Hoby Milner and Caleb Thielbar to go along with the signing of Phil Maton, it feels like the Cubs are in need of one more reliever. Will it be Pete Fairbanks? He's the last big-name closer left on the free agent market. Or is this an indication that the Cubs are done adding a major arm for the bullpen?
We'll see. It would definitely be disappointing if this is it and the rest of the signings are minor league deals. Again, it could work out as it has with several relievers on the Cubs in the past four years or so, but as a fan you are left wanting more.
