The Phillies are making it clear: they’re not just aiming to compete in 2026-they’re going for it all. After locking in Kyle Schwarber with a five-year, $150 million deal and adding some punch with Adolis Garcia on a one-year, $10 million contract, Philadelphia is now turning its attention to the bullpen. And they just made a significant move to reinforce it.
The Phillies are finalizing a two-year, $22 million deal with right-handed reliever Brad Keller, a former starter turned late-inning weapon who’s coming off a breakout season with the Cubs. It’s a bold investment in a high-upside arm, and it signals just how serious this front office is about building a complete roster.
Keller’s Journey: From Starter to Shutdown Reliever
Keller, 30, began his MLB career as a starter with the Kansas City Royals, where he flashed promise early on but struggled to maintain consistency. From 2021 to 2023, his ERA ballooned to 5.14 across 72 appearances (57 starts), and 2024 wasn’t much better-he posted a 5.44 ERA while splitting time between the Red Sox and White Sox.
But everything changed in 2025. After transitioning full-time to the bullpen with the Cubs, Keller looked like a different pitcher.
He appeared in 68 games and delivered a 2.07 ERA, striking out 75 batters in 69.2 innings with a sharp 0.962 WHIP. That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident.
One key reason for the turnaround? Velocity.
Keller’s fastball jumped four miles per hour from 2024 to 2025, giving him the kind of power arsenal that plays late in games. With improved command and a more aggressive approach out of the pen, he became one of the most reliable relievers in the National League.
A New Setup Man for a Power-Packed Bullpen
Now, he joins a Phillies bullpen that already features flamethrowing closer Jhoan Duran. With Keller likely slotting in as a setup man, Philadelphia suddenly has a one-two punch in the late innings that could rival any in baseball. Duran brings the heat, Keller brings the newfound dominance, and together they give manager Rob Thomson a lot more flexibility in high-leverage spots.
The $22 million price tag reflects just how much the Phillies believe in Keller’s transformation. That’s serious money for a reliever, but in today’s game-where bullpens often decide postseason fates-it’s a calculated risk with major upside.
Building Toward October
This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader strategy by Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies’ front office to build a roster that can win now. With Schwarber back in the fold, Garcia adding depth to the lineup, and Keller reinforcing the bullpen, the pieces are starting to come together.
And here’s the thing: they might not be done yet. The Phillies know how close they are. They’ve been knocking on the door in recent seasons, and with the NL looking as competitive as ever, every marginal upgrade matters.
This deal for Keller isn’t just about regular-season innings-it’s about October. It’s about having a guy who can come in during the seventh or eighth inning of a playoff game and shut the door. And based on what we saw in 2025, Keller looks ready for that challenge.
The Phillies are pushing chips to the center of the table. They’ve got the offense, they’re reinforcing the bullpen, and they’re not hiding their intentions.
The goal is clear: bring a championship back to Philadelphia. And with moves like this, they’re putting themselves in position to make a serious run.