Another impact reliever is reportedly off the board.

Right-hander Brad Keller is set to join the Philadelphia Phillies next season after agreeing to a two-year deal worth $22 million, as first reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray. The 30-year-old was one of the most underrated relief arms on the market after successfully transitioning to a high-leverage role with the Chicago Cubs last season.

Keller, who received interest from several clubs this off-season, including the Toronto Blue Jays, prior to signing Tyler Rogers, had previously worked as a starter before becoming a multi-inning reliever in 2024. That transition was met with immense struggles, though, leading to a 5.44 ERA and 5.68 FIP with an 8.9 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) across 41.1 combined innings split between the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, worth a career-worst minus-0.4 fWAR.

But everything clicked with the cross-town Cubs a season ago.

The veteran hurler witnessed a major uptick in his fastball velocity, averaging 97.2 m.p.h. in 2025 — an increase of over three ticks from ’24 — and ranked in the 88th percentile of the majors. He also increased the usage of his mid-80s sweeper, which generated a swing and miss nearly half the time, while opponents mustered a .067 AVG against it.

Thus, Keller was able to enjoy a breakout year as the primary setup man for the Cubs, dominating to the tune of a 2.07 ERA and 2.93 FIP over a career-high 68 appearances, converting 25 holds and a trio of saves. His K-BB% jumped to 19.2 per cent, courtesy of his 80th percentile strikeout rate (27.2 per cent).

Additionally, the journeyman pitcher also excelled at minimizing hard contact and inducing ground balls, placing in the 95th and 99th percentiles, respectively, with his ground-ball rate (56.6 per cent) and hard-hit rate against (30.6 per cent).

Some teams were reportedly targeting Keller as a starting pitcher this winter, hoping his refined arsenal and prior experience would help him join the recent reliever-turned-starter trend. But he’s expected to remain in the bullpen for the Phillies next season, complementing a talented back-end group that includes closer Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm, José Alvarado and Orion Kerkering.

But with Jesús Luzardo and Taijuan Walker slated to hit free agency next off-season, Philadelphia could revisit the starting conversation with Keller in Year 2 of his deal.