Brad Keller’s latest contract news centers on him signing a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth about $22 million, with a $4 million signing bonus. The agreement was reported in December 2025 and finalized after a physical, signaling a bullpen-focused role for Keller in 2026 and 2027. [sources: ESPN, MLB Trade Rumors, ABC7 Chicago, and other outlets cited below]
Key details
- Contract: Two years, $22 million total; $7 million salary in 2026, $11 million in 2027, plus a $4 million signing bonus.
- Team: Philadelphia Phillies.
- Role: Primarily a reliever for 2026–2027, though Keller has prior starts in his career.
- Context: Built on a strong 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs (2.07 ERA in 68 appearances) which boosted his value.
Notable reports
- ESPN and multiple outlets initially reported a two-year, $22 million agreement, pending a physical.[1][2]
- MLB Trade Rumors later confirmed the Phillies’ official signing and noted the financial terms and timing.[3][5]
- Local and national outlets (e.g., ABC7 Chicago, Sporting News) echoed the same contract structure and signing timeline.[2][4]
What this means for fantasy and depth charts
- Expect Keller to slot into a high-leverage reliever role, potentially setting up for late-inning opportunities or bridging to a closer, depending on the Phillies’ bullpen makeup in 2026.[5][3]
- If you’re tracking bullpen arms for 2026 fantasy rosters, Keller is a relevant speculative add given his recent surge and the guaranteed money that accompanies the deal.[3][5]
Citations
- “Sources: Phillies, reliever Keller reach 2-year deal”[1]
- “Sources: Reliever Brad Keller to Phillies for 2 years, $22M”[2]
- “Brad Keller Rumors - MLB Trade Rumors”[3]
- “Cubs' Brad Keller gets $22 million contract projection update from ESPN insider”[4]
- “Right-hander Brad Keller and Philadelphia Phillies finalize $22 million, 2-year contract”[5]
If you’d like, I can pull a quick bulleted summary of how this move compares to other bullpen signings in the 2025–2026 off-season or create a simple chart of Keller’s 2025 stats and projected 2026-27 performance.
Sources
PHILADELPHIA – President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated on Tuesday that the Phillies would pursue a reliever or two before Spring Training. Now, he has one. The Phillies announced on Thursday that they had signed a two-year deal with right-hander Brad Keller reportedly worth $22 million.
www.mlb.comKeller is one of the offseason's most intriguing free agents.
www.sportingnews.comPHILADELPHIA – President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated on Tuesday that the Phillies would pursue a reliever or two before Spring Training. Now, he has one. The Phillies announced on Thursday that they had signed a two-year deal with right-hander Brad Keller reportedly worth $22 million.
www.mlb.comAfter reliever Brad Keller had a resurgent season in 2025 with the Cubs, he and the Phillies agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract, sources said Wednesday.
www.espn.comPhillies' Brad Keller: Signs two-year deal with Phillies
www.cbssports.comPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Right-hander Brad Keller and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized their $22 million, two-year contract on Thursday. Keller gets a $4 million signing bonus, half payable upon the contract's approval by Major League Baseball and half in October. He receives salaries of $7 million next year and $11 million in 2027. Keller was 4-2 with a career-low 2.07 ERA in 68 appearances for the Chicago Cubs this season. He struck out 75 in 69 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old worked out of the...
www.castanet.netDecember 18th: The Phils have officially announced their signing of Keller. According to The Associated Press, he receives a $4MM signing bonus and a $7MM salary for 2026, followed by an $11MM salary in ’27. December 17th: The Phillies and right-handed reliever Brad Keller are in agreement on a two-year, $22MM contract, reports ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The deal is pending a physical. Fansided’s Robert Murray first reported that the two parties were nearing an agreement. Keller, who is represented...
www.mlbtraderumors.comAfter reliever Brad Keller had a resurgent season in 2025 with the Cubs, he and the Phillies agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract, sources said Wednesday.
abc7chicago.comBrad Keller rumors, news and videos from the best sources on the web.
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