Boston Red Sox Veteran Pitcher Becomes a threat After Recent controversial issues within the squad
Brad Keller elected to become a free agent, according to multiple reports Tuesday, ending the pitcher’s time with the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox optioned Keller to Triple-A Worcester after Sunday’s series finale against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Keller had the right to opt for free agency, though, as a player with five-plus years of MLB service time. And he exercised that right.
The 29-year-old signed with the Red Sox in May after making five appearances with the Chicago White Sox to begin 2024. He appeared in 10 games with Boston, posting a 5.66 ERA in 20 2/3 innings.
Keller spent six seasons with the Kansas City Royals from 2018 to 2023. He’s never been a dominant force, but he’s proven capable at various points in his career, which could open the door for him to land another big-league job upon leaving Boston.
The veteran right-hander spent most of his Royals tenure working as a starter. The Red Sox used him exclusively out of the bullpen, where he usually was called upon to go multiple innings, but his next team certainly could use him in various roles based on need.
Keller owns a 38-56 record and a 4.32 ERA in 165 career MLB appearances (116 starts).
The Red Sox have re-signed right-hander Brad Keller to a minor league deal, per Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com on X. The veteran elected free agency earlier today but has quickly returned to Boston on a non-roster pact.
Keller, 29, is a veteran with more than five years of service time. That gives him the right to reject optional assignments to the minor leagues. Earlier in the year, he did consent to be optioned by Boston, getting recalled a few days ago. The Sox optioned him a second time but he decided to exercise his right to explore the open market. It seems he didn’t find much to his liking and quickly reunited with the Sox on this minor league deal.
The righty had a nice run with the Royals earlier in his career but he has hit a few bumps in more recent seasons. In the 2018-2020 seasons, Keller logged 360 1/3 innings with Kansas City, allowing 3.50 earned runs per nine in that stretch. His 16.8% strikeout rate was below par but his 9.1% walk rate was around average and his 52.1% ground ball rate was quite strong.
But his ERA crept north of 5.00 in both 2021 and 2022. Last year, he was only able to make 11 appearances before requiring surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome. This year, he has split his time between the White Sox and the Red Sox, tossing 37 1/3 innings with a 5.30 ERA, 17.8% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate and 49.6% ground ball rate.
The Sox bolstered their rotation prior to the deadline by acquiring James Paxton from the Dodgers but he recently suffered a torn calf after just three appearances with Boston. Cooper Criswell is currently on the injured list with COVID but the club is planning on slotting him into the rotation when he’s healthy. Whenever that happens, he’ll join Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford.
