Red Sox sign veteran Pitcher to four-year contract with White Sox as they formally finalized the deal
The Boston Red Sox signed veteran right-hander Brad Keller to a one-year contract on Sunday, six days after the Chicago White Sox designated him for assignment.
Keller, 28, elected to become a free agent on Wednesday. He pitched in five games (two starts) in his lone season with Chicago — the most recent on May 18 — and was 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA, six walks and 13 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.
He pitched for the Kansas City Royals from 2018-23, posting a 38-53 record with one save, a 4.27 ERA, 303 walks and 506 strikeouts in 679 innings over 150 games (114 starts).
In a corresponding move, the Red Sox optioned right-hander Zack Kelly to Triple-A Worcester. Kelly, 29, is 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA, 10 walks and 14 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings over 11 relief appearances.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Keller will be used as a long reliever. Injuries to the team’s pitchers include right-hander Garrett Whitlock, who told reporters on Saturday that he will miss the remainder of the season to undergo an elbow procedure.
“(Keller has) got good stuff, it’s interesting,” Cora said Sunday. “And where we’re at right now, obviously using Chase (Anderson) for four innings two days ago and then Zack (Kelly) for three innings (Saturday), we’re kind of short in that aspect.”
Aaron Bummer was traded to the Braves early in the offseason, adding pieces to help fill out the roster. Dylan Cease was traded to the Padres with two weeks left in spring training as the White Sox acquired three of San Diego’s top 10 prospects. As the White Sox currently have the worst record in the majors, they will be active sellers leading up to the trade deadline.
Which players could be on the move? Let’s take a look at three possible trade chips for the White Sox.
The White Sox would love to be able to trade Eloy Jimenez. There is no questioning that the talented outfielder can be a game-changer when healthy. The problem is that he simply cannot stay on the diamond. Bruce Levine from 670 The Score reported in January that Jimenez was garnering very little interest. As he is back on the injured list and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, it may be more difficult to find a taker.
Instead, Pham is the more logical trade candidate. He signed in mid-April as the White Sox sought any production from their outfield. Pham has lived up to expectations, producing a .304/.355/.443 batting line in 124 plate appearances with three homers and seven doubles. He is also no stranger to trade deadline deals, having been traded at the deadline in 2018, 2022 and 2023.
Every contending team wants to strengthen their bullpen at the trade deadline. Effective left-handed relievers, in particular, are highly sought after. The White Sox may have such a piece in reliever Tim Hill.
Hill had his worst statistical showing in 2023, posting a 5.48 ERA and a 1.647 WHIP in his 44.1 innings. He signed a one-year deal worth $1.8 million to join the White Sox as he hoped to rebuild his career. This season has been a mixed bag of results for Hill, who has posted a 2.84 ERA, albeit with a 1.842 WHIP over his 19 innings. He also has reverse splits, with lefties hitting .382/.462/.471 against him in 39 plate appearances. However, his strong track record against lefties and low salary could make Hill an attractive trade chip.
