The Chicago Cubs just lost a key piece of their 2025 bullpen puzzle, and while it stings, there’s a silver lining buried in the frustration: Brad Keller’s departure is, in many ways, a success story.
Keller, the veteran right-hander who emerged as the Cubs’ most reliable bullpen arm this past season, has agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The deal is pending a physical, but all signs point to Keller heading east to bolster the Phillies' relief corps.
Now, whether the Phillies intend to stretch Keller back out into a starter remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that the Cubs - despite some fans holding out hope for a reunion - weren’t able to bring him back.
And it’s not like the price tag was out of reach. The Cubs have actually been more active than usual this offseason when it comes to bullpen investments, a notable shift from their recent approach.
Still, losing Keller stings, especially with so few high-leverage relievers left on the open market.
Let’s take a step back and appreciate just how far Keller has come. This time last year, he was a non-roster invitee to Cubs spring training, coming off a rough 2024 that saw him cut loose by the White Sox and then try to hang on with the Red Sox.
His career was teetering. Once a promising starter with the Royals, Keller had seen a steady decline since 2020 and hit rock bottom last year.
But the Cubs saw something in him. They brought him in on a minor league deal, gave him a shot, and he ran with it.
Transitioning fully to the bullpen, Keller found new life. His stuff played up in shorter stints, and he quickly earned a spot not just on the roster, but in the late innings.
By the end of the season, he was the guy - the Cubs’ go-to high-leverage arm, and eventually their closer in the postseason.
The numbers tell the story: a 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts across 68 appearances. That’s not just a bounce-back - that’s a reinvention. And it earned him a well-deserved payday.
For the Cubs, it’s a bittersweet outcome. They helped rebuild Keller’s value, and he delivered in a big way. But now he’s gone, and the bullpen still feels like it’s one arm short.
Yes, the Cubs have added lefties Hoby Milner and Caleb Thielbar, and they brought in Phil Maton earlier in the offseason. Those are solid moves. But with Keller out and Pete Fairbanks still sitting out there as one of the last big-name closers on the market, there’s a sense that the Cubs could - and maybe should - do more.
Maybe another under-the-radar signing turns into the next Brad Keller. That’s been the formula lately, and it’s worked. But for a team with postseason aspirations, leaning entirely on reclamation projects can be a risky game.
So, where do the Cubs go from here? That’s the question.
Keller’s story is a reminder of how quickly things can change in baseball - for players and teams alike. It’s also a testament to the Cubs’ ability to identify and develop bullpen talent.
But it’s also a reminder that sometimes, success means watching a guy you believed in walk away - because he earned it.