IMAGE: Imagn Images<\/div>\n
Brad Keller didn\u2019t just bounce back in 2025 – he reinvented himself. After a rough 2024 that saw him struggle with both the White Sox and Red Sox, the right-hander entered the Cubs\u2019 spring training on a minor league deal, fighting just to stay in the league. By the end of the season, he wasn\u2019t just a feel-good story – he was the most valuable reliever in Chicago\u2019s bullpen, and arguably one of the most reliable arms in the National League.<\/p>\n
Now, that remarkable turnaround is setting the stage for a potentially significant payday in free agency – and it could mean the Cubs are about to lose their best bullpen weapon.<\/p>\n
Keller\u2019s transformation wasn\u2019t just about numbers, though the stats speak for themselves. A 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts across 68 appearances is elite-tier production.<\/p>\n
But what stood out even more was how he climbed the bullpen ladder. He started the year in middle relief, worked his way into high-leverage spots, and by the end of the regular season, he was closing games – including in the postseason.<\/p>\n
That kind of trust from manager Craig Counsell doesn\u2019t come easy.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a long way from where Keller was just a year ago. Once a promising starter with the Royals, his career had seemingly stalled out before 2025.<\/p>\n
The Cubs gave him a shot, and he responded by completely overhauling his approach. He ditched the starter\u2019s mindset, leaned into his strengths as a short-burst power arm, and found a rhythm that made him nearly untouchable in the late innings.<\/p>\n
But success comes with a price – especially in free agency.<\/p>\n
According to reports, Keller is drawing serious interest not just as a reliever, but also as a potential starting pitcher. That\u2019s the kind of interest that changes the financial equation. Teams looking at Keller as a starter are going to pay starter money – and that could push him well beyond what the Cubs are willing to spend for a bullpen piece, even one as impactful as Keller.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t an isolated case, either. We\u2019ve seen this movie before.<\/p>\n
Pitchers like Clay Holmes, Reynaldo L\u00f3pez, and Jordan Hicks followed similar trajectories – bullpen success leading to bigger opportunities and bigger contracts. Holmes landed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets.<\/p>\n
L\u00f3pez signed for three years and $30 million with the Braves. Hicks?<\/p>\n
Four years, $44 million with the Giants. All three parlayed bullpen dominance into starter-level paydays or hybrid roles with significant financial upside.<\/p>\n
Keller could be next in line.<\/p>\n
MLB Trade Rumors recently ranked him No. 26 on their top-50 free agent list, projecting a three-year, $36 million deal. That\u2019s a number that reflects both his value as a reliever and the possibility that a team might take a shot at stretching him back out into a rotation role. Given the scarcity of quality pitching on the market and Keller\u2019s versatility, that projection feels realistic – maybe even conservative if the bidding heats up.<\/p>\n
The Cubs, for their part, are reportedly more open to investing in bullpen arms this offseason than they have been in recent years. But there\u2019s a difference between being open to spending and being willing to match starter-level offers for a reliever – especially one who just turned 30 and only has one season of elite relief work under his belt.<\/p>\n
So what happens next?<\/p>\n
If Keller\u2019s market continues to trend toward starting roles and multi-year deals in the $30-40 million range, it\u2019s hard to see the Cubs hanging on. They took a smart, low-risk gamble that paid off in a big way. But now, they might have to watch as another team cashes in on the version of Brad Keller they helped unlock.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a tough spot for Chicago – losing a top-tier reliever is never easy, especially one who became such a key part of the team\u2019s late-season success. But it\u2019s also a testament to how far Keller has come.<\/p>\n
From a minor league deal to a potential $36 million contract in less than a year? That\u2019s not just a comeback – that\u2019s a career resurrection.<\/p>\n
Wherever he lands, Brad Keller has earned this moment. And for the Cubs, the challenge now is finding the next arm who can follow that same path.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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