Red Sox right-hander Brad Keller has opted to become a free agent, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. As a player with five years or more of major league service, Keller must agree to be optioned to the minors. He agreed to be optioned once earlier this season, but when the Red Sox wanted to select him earlier this week, he instead exercised his right to become a free agent and seek a new opportunity.
Keller, 29, was a fixture in the Royals rotation from 2018-23. One of the most successful Rule 5 picks in recent memory — Kansas City drafted him out of the D-backs organization in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft — he enjoyed three solid seasons as a starter for the Royals before struggling repeatedly from 2021-23, mostly due to injuries. After posting a 3.50 ERA in 360 1/3 innings for KC from 2018-20, Keller suffered a 5.14 ERA over the next three seasons. Things took a turn for the worse in 2023, when he walked 45 hitters in 45 1/3 innings before going on the injured list and eventually having thoracic outlet surgery.
The White Sox signed Keller to a minor league deal over the winter, and he had a brief stint with Chicago before being selected for assignment and opting for free agency. The Red Sox acquired him in late May. After a tough game in Baltimore, he settled in and pitched eight straight, but Boston sent him to the minors in late June (a move he approved at the time). He was recalled on Friday, gave up three runs in four innings against the Astros on Saturday, and was optioned back to Triple-A Worcester on Monday – this time exercising his right to become a free agent.
In all, Keller pitched 37 1/3 innings between the ChiSox and BoSox this season. He posted a disappointing 5.30 ERA in that span, but his season has no silver linings. First and foremost, the disastrous command stories he showed last season are back on Earth. In fact, Keller has not only put last year's horrendous 21.3% walk rate behind him – he's sporting a career-low 7.7% walk rate in his 37 1/3 frames. His 17.8% strikeout rate is below league average but in line with the 17.4% mark he posted prior to his 2023 TOS-dissolved season. Keller has seen the velocity on his four-seamer and sinker increase slightly (though he's also been working in relief, so that's not due to better health), and this year's 9.1% swing rate is the second-best mark. of his career (but still worse than league average).
Down in Triple-A, things have gotten better. He pitched an almost identical slate of 38 innings there and had similar walk and strikeout rates to those he posted in the majors. However, he's sporting a 4.26 ERA that's a full run below his MLB ERA, because he's been able to avoid the long ball like he hasn't at the MLB level (0.24 HR/9 in. Triple-A, 1.93 HR/9 in MLB). Most likely, his home run rate in the majors is due to some good swing, while his home run rate in the minors is likely due to swinging in the opposite direction.
For a team in need of late-season rotation depth or length in the bullpen, the veteran Keller would be a perfect fit. The Twins, Astros, Guardians, Mets, Braves and Padres are among the postseason hopefuls with injuries or significant career concerns among their current crop of starting pitchers.
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