Brad Keller enjoyed a career year in 2025, his first season as a member of the Chicago Cubs.
Keller hopes it isn’t his last.
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Speaking to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the pitcher made it clear he would like to return as a free agent
“Chicago is my favorite city,” Keller said, via Mooney. “I love being in Chicago. I love playing for the Cubs. This is definitely a place that I want to come back to and enjoy. I know a lot of these guys are returning to this clubhouse, and I feel like there’s something special here. I would love to be a part of it, for sure.”
Keller, 30, made a career-high 68 appearances in 2025, posting a 2.07 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 69.2 innings. He finished the season on a tear, allowing only one run and eight hits over his final 27.2 innings (0.33 ERA).
Along the way Keller converted his only two save opportunities, then assumed the primary ninth-inning role in the postseason. He allowed only one run in 5.2 innings across five October games against the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.
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The Brewers ended the Cubs’ season by defeating them in a five-game National League Division Series last week.
Keller signed a minor league contract with the Cubs on Jan. 31 that paid $1.5 million if he made the team’s 26-man roster. His contract was purchased on March 25, and he never looked back.
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After a dominant finish to the season in the heat of a playoff hunt, Keller can expect a much nicer payday this offseason.
From 2018-21, Keller was primarily a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. But after failing to post a winning record outside the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he was demoted to the bullpen midway through the 22 campaign.
A shoulder injury limited Keller to 11 games with the Royals in 2023. Pitching for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs in 2024, he shuffled between the majors and Triple-A.
Healthy and effective this year, Keller made a strong case for the Cubs to bring him back in 2026.
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