CHICAGO
The Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season may have ended in disappointment, but it also offered reasons for optimism — and one of the brightest surprises came from right-hander Brad Keller.
Keller, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal before the season, proved to be a crucial piece of the Cubs’ bullpen. Now, with free agency looming, he’s made it clear that he hopes to stay.
“Chicago is my favorite city,” Keller told The Athletic. “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.”
A Breakout Bullpen Season
Keller, 30, posted a 2.07 ERA across 69.2 innings in 68 appearances, striking out 75 batters and recording a 1.5 bWAR — one of the most efficient seasons of his career.
After years of inconsistency as a starter with the Kansas City Royals, Keller’s transition to the bullpen has transformed his trajectory. He became a dependable late-inning weapon for manager Craig Counsell, often pairing with Daniel Palencia to form one of the most effective relief tandems in the National League.
“He and Palencia were the backbone of our bullpen,” one Cubs staffer told The Sporting News. “Every time the game got tight, those two kept us alive.”
A Case for Re-Signing
The Cubs’ front office faces multiple offseason decisions, but re-signing Keller appears to be one of the most straightforward. Despite turning 31 next season, his velocity, command, and consistency suggest he still has several strong years ahead.
MLB teams in the past have shown caution toward signing veteran relievers after one breakout season, but Keller’s success was rooted in mechanical improvement and a refined pitch mix, not short-term luck.
For a Cubs team that ranked among the league’s best in bullpen ERA and returned to the postseason for the first time in a full season since 2018, Keller’s presence could be key to sustaining that success.
Looking Ahead
Whether the Cubs meet his request remains to be seen, but Keller’s words resonated with both fans and teammates. His five-word message — “Chicago is my favorite city” — captured the bond between player and club that’s been missing since the franchise’s 2016 championship core began to dissolve.
If Chicago brings him back, it won’t just be for his numbers. It will be for the steady, confident energy that defined a bullpen — and a season — built on resilience.
