Former Red Sox Relief Pitcher Reportedly Close To Signing With Phillies
Another ex-Boston pitcher has found a new home
The Boston Red Sox haven’t done much of anything in free agency, but it appears as if that could change at any moment. In the meantime, several of their former players have continued to find new homes, with the latest player joining that club being relief pitcher Brad Keller.
After spending his first six seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Keller split time between the Chicago White Sox and Red Sox in 2024. Keller appeared in just 11 games for Boston, posting a 0-2 record with a 5.84 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
Keller latched on with the Chicago Cubs last offseason, and he promptly turned in the best season of his career (4-2, 2.07 ERA, 75 K, 3 SV, 0.96 WHIP). That has earned Keller quite a bit of interest in free agency this offseason, and it sounds like it is going to land him a multi-year contract from the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Sources: Free-agent reliever Brad Keller and the Philadelphia Phillies are closing in on a multi-year deal,” Robert Murray of FanSided reported in a post on X.
Losing Keller ended up being a costly move for Boston, given how well he pitched for Chicago in 2025. Instead of re-signing with the Sox on a minor league contract, he opted to sign a minor league deal with the Cubs, and he turned himself into one of the most sought-after relievers on the open market this offseason.
A reunion with Keller could have been a consideration for the Red Sox’s front office, but the team really needs a left-handed reliever or two at this stage of the game. As Boston continues to crawl through the start of free agency, the front office will continue to explore potential ways to beef up the roster over the coming days.
