Brad Keller is coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year career, having emerged as one of the National League’s most effective relievers with the Chicago Cubs. Brad Keller in action (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have reached an agreement on a two-year contract with right-hander Brad Keller, according to a report by MLB.com. The club has not officially announced the signing as it is pending a physical. The deal is expected to be worth $22 million. In particular, Philadelphia’s plan is to capitalize on Keller’s recent dominance as a relief arm rather than stretch him back into a starting role. Career-best season with the Chicago Cubs Now 30, Brad Keller is coming off one of the best seasons of his eight-year career, after emerging as one of the National League’s most effective relievers with the Chicago Cubs. In 2025, he made 68 appearances for the Cubs, all but one in relief, with a remarkable 2.07 ERA and a 2.94 FIP over 69 2/3 innings. He struck out 75 batters, posted a career-best 0.96 WHIP and limited opponents to a .182 batting average. Those numbers put Keller among the elite relievers in the league. His opponents’ average was fifth-best among primary NL relievers with at least 60 innings, while his ERA was seventh-best in that same group. Journey from starter to reliever Brad Keller’s transformation into a bullpen force didn’t happen overnight. Half of his 234 career MLB appearances came as a starter, primarily during his time with the Kansas City Royals. That chapter ended after he underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in October 2023, a procedure that significantly changed the trajectory of his career. The immediate aftermath was challenging. Keller signed with the Chicago White Sox for the 2024 season, but was released after just five appearances. A subsequent game with the Boston Red Sox was equally short, totaling 11 outs. Over those stops, he went 0-4 with a 5.44 ERA, raising questions about his long-term future. Reinvention and Dominance Fully healthy by the time he joined the Chicago Cubs before the 2025 season, Keller reinvented himself. Armed with a five-pitch mix with a 97 mph four-seam fastball, sinker, sweeper, and changeup, he generated a 30.4 percent rush rate and held hitters to a 30.6 percent hard-hit rate, placing him in MLB’s 99th percentile. His .204 expected opponents’ average was also among the best in baseball. Perhaps most notable was his performance in the second half. From July 18 through the end of the regular season, Keller allowed just one run over 28 appearances, posting a microscopic 0.33 ERA and holding opponents to a .089 average.