The Philadelphia Phillies have made a major move to bolster their bullpen, signing right-handed reliever Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million contract that has fans and analysts buzzing. Keller, who turned 30 this year, is coming off a breakout campaign with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, where he established himself as one of the most reliable setup men in baseball. After years of bouncing between starting and relief roles—and battling significant health setbacks—Keller’s resurgence has quickly made him a centerpiece of the Phillies’ plans for the upcoming season.
It’s been a whirlwind journey for Keller, who just two seasons ago was fighting for a roster spot. Released by the Chicago White Sox in May 2024 and then repeatedly cut and re-signed by the Boston Red Sox, Keller’s career seemed at a crossroads. But a shift to the Cubs bullpen in early 2025 changed everything. Not only did his average fastball velocity jump from 93.7 mph in 2024 to an eye-popping 97.1 mph last season, but he also posted a sparkling 2.07 ERA and a 0.962 WHIP over 69⅔ innings. That’s not just good—it’s elite.
So, what fueled this transformation? A big part of it was health. Keller underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery in October 2023, a procedure Phillies ace Zack Wheeler also endured. Before the operation, Keller’s hand would swell up due to poor blood flow, making it nearly impossible to grip a baseball. "I finally felt like myself, and I finally felt healthy, and I could trust that the surgery worked," Keller said, reflecting on his journey. He admitted to rushing his rehab in 2024 because he was a free agent, but by the All-Star break that season, pitching in Triple-A for Boston, he started to feel whole again.
This newfound health allowed Keller to make key mechanical tweaks, especially in how he used his lower body. The results were immediate. Not only did his velocity skyrocket, but his strikeout rates improved, while his walk and hard-hit rates dropped. “There’s nothing like the adrenaline spike when the phone rings and your name’s called,” Keller explained, describing his transition to relief pitching. “I really grew into that.”
Keller’s impact in Chicago was undeniable, especially when the pressure was highest. He played in the postseason for the first time in his career in 2025, finishing as one of the Cubs’ most trusted relievers and even closing out playoff games. In five postseason appearances, he posted a 1.59 ERA, notching two saves and a hold. For Keller, the playoff experience was transformative. “Once you get a taste of that, that’s what you crave every single year,” he said. It’s no surprise, then, that joining a contender was his top priority in free agency. As he put it, “That’s something that I want to do year-in and year-out, and I feel like Philly really gives a good opportunity for that. Obviously, the track record speaks for itself.”
The Phillies’ front office couldn’t agree more. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was effusive in his praise: “We love Keller. We think he’s one of the best in the business, the way he stepped up last year as a reliever with the Cubs. So we really like the way the bullpen now shapes up.” Dombrowski also emphasized that the club sees Keller as a “legit back-end-type guy,” a sentiment echoed by the Phillies’ analytics and scouting departments. With Keller joining closer Jhoan Duran and rising star Orion Kerkering, the Phillies suddenly have one of the most formidable right-handed relief corps in the league.
What makes Keller especially valuable is his versatility. Unlike many relievers who rely on one or two pitches, Keller brings a five-pitch mix to the table: a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, changeup, and a sweeper he introduced in 2024. He’s already begun collaborating with Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham on ways to refine his arsenal. “He thinks very similar to how I think about things,” Keller said of Cotham. “He brought up some ideas of things that we feel like would be fun things to try, like throwing sweepers to lefties, changeups to righties, things like that that’s kind of a little unorthodox.”
Keller’s 2025 numbers back up the Phillies’ optimism. He was especially tough on right-handed hitters, holding them to a .148 batting average and a .466 OPS, while lefties managed just a .223 average and a .569 OPS. His durability was on display, too—he pitched 18 innings on zero days’ rest, racking up 24 strikeouts against just three walks, and posted a 1.50 ERA in those high-leverage, short-rest situations. Keller credits his routine and advice from veteran teammates like Ryan Pressly for his ability to bounce back quickly between outings.
The Phillies’ commitment to fortifying their bullpen is evident. In addition to Keller, they’ve added righty Jonathan Bowlan via trade and signed Zach Pop to a major league deal. Pop, 29, brings experience as a swingman, though he spent most of last season in Triple-A. The Phillies are also eyeing young arms such as Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley and hard-throwing prospect Alex McFarlane, who was added to the 40-man roster in November. With two bullpen spots still up for grabs, competition will be fierce in spring training.
Keller’s journey from uncertainty to stardom has not gone unnoticed. Ranked No. 36 on The Athletic’s Big Board of free agents, his signing represents a significant coup for the Phillies. It also marks a personal milestone—after beginning the last two seasons on minor-league deals, Keller now enters 2026 with job security and a chance to pitch for a perennial contender. “It was an awesome adjustment,” he said of moving to the bullpen. “I just carried that second half into last year, where it’s like, ‘Alright, that’s in the rearview. I feel good. I don’t have to worry about that stuff anymore.’”
As the Phillies prepare for a new season, the addition of Keller signals their intent to contend deep into October. With his blend of power, precision, and postseason hunger, Keller is poised to become a fan favorite in Philadelphia. The bullpen, once a weakness, now looks like a major strength—one that could make all the difference when the games matter most.
For Keller and the Phillies, the future is bright and the expectations are sky-high. As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on this new-look bullpen and its latest centerpiece, eager to see if the momentum from 2025 can carry over into another thrilling campaign.
