Two veteran right-handers found new homes in the National League East, as Luke Weaver is headed to the New York Mets and Brad Keller is joining the Philadelphia Phillies. Both pitchers reportedly landed identical contracts: two years, $22 million apiece - a number that matches the deal Adrian Houser reportedly received from the Giants just a day earlier. That’s not just a coincidence; it’s a clear signal that the market for mid-tier veteran arms - especially those who’ve reinvented themselves in the bullpen - is heating up.
Let’s start with Brad Keller. At 30, he’s had one of the more winding paths to this point.
Originally a Rule 5 pick who stuck with the Royals in 2018, Keller made an immediate impact, notching 4.2 bWAR in his rookie season while splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen. He followed that up with a solid 2019 as a full-time starter, posting 3.0 bWAR, and then looked like he was on the verge of becoming a long-term fixture in Kansas City’s rotation after a strong 2020.
But things unraveled quickly. By the end of 2023, Keller was a free agent, and 2024 was a rollercoaster.
He started the year with the White Sox, got released in May, bounced to Boston, was released in August, re-signed with the Red Sox, and then released again. It wasn’t until 2025, when the Cubs gave him a shot out of the bullpen, that Keller found his groove again.
And he didn’t just survive - he thrived. In 68 appearances, he posted a 2.07 ERA, re-establishing himself as a legitimate late-inning option.
That’s the version of Keller the Phillies are betting on. Philly’s bullpen has been a high-wire act in recent years, and adding a veteran arm with swing-and-miss stuff and a proven ability to handle leverage situations could be a stabilizing force. Keller’s experience as both a starter and reliever also gives the Phillies some flexibility - but make no mistake, he’s being brought in to lock down innings late in games.
As for Luke Weaver, his story is one of persistence. Now 32, Weaver has spent the better part of a decade bouncing around the league, often filling in as a back-end starter or long reliever. He debuted in 2016 and played for six teams through 2023, never quite finding a permanent role - or consistent success.
But in 2024, something clicked. Signing with the Yankees, Weaver transitioned full-time into a bullpen role, and the results were eye-opening.
Over 148 innings across 126 games, he posted a 3.21 ERA and a 3.58 FIP - numbers that suggest his performance wasn’t a fluke. He became a reliable, durable arm in a high-usage role, a rare commodity in today’s game.
That’s exactly what the Mets are banking on. With their bullpen in need of depth and consistency, Weaver offers both.
He’s not flashy, but he gets outs, eats innings, and gives a manager options. Whether it’s bridging the gap from the starter to the closer or soaking up multiple innings in a tight game, Weaver’s versatility is going to be valuable.
It’s also worth noting the symmetry in these deals - two veteran right-handers, both with checkered pasts but strong 2024 campaigns, landing the same contract. It speaks to how front offices are valuing bullpen arms right now: proven durability, recent success, and the ability to adapt are being rewarded.
For both the Mets and Phillies, these signings aren’t headline-grabbers - but they’re the kind of moves that can quietly shape a season. In a division where every game counts and the margins are razor-thin, having dependable arms like Keller and Weaver could end up making all the difference.