When the Cubs signed Brad Keller to a one-year, $1.5 million deal last offseason, no one batted an eye. This was a pitcher who had struggled during the 2024 season with a 5.44 ERA across 16 appearances.

There was also a strong chance that Keller wasn't going to make Chicago's Opening Day roster, considering the Cubs only signed him to a Minor League deal. In the team's eyes, this was a low-risk, high-reward signing heading into the spring.

Fast forward several months, and Keller became the Cubs' best bullpen arm. His 2.07 ERA and 75 strikeouts led all Chicago relievers. He even closed some games down the stretch, which included closing out Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres and Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Brewers. 

Manager Craig Counsell leaned on the 30-year-old in most high-leverage spots, and Keller answered the call almost every time. He totaled three saves, 25 holds, and gave up no runs in 61 of his 68 regular season appearances.

After a breakout season, Keller will enter free agency with plenty of potential suitors. He was a dominant backend of the bullpen arm this past season, and teams are always looking to sign those types of relievers. 

However, the Cubs need to do all they can to re-sign the big right-hander. Although Chicago hasn’t been known to give away multi-year contracts to relievers, Keller should be the exception. 

He was untouchable for the Cubs in that eighth-inning role the entire season. With a .204 expected batting average against, a 30.6% hard-hit rate, a 5.8% barrel rate, and a 27.2% strikeout rate, Keller was one of the best setup relievers in baseball. 

So, re-signing him is a must this offseason. There also appears to be some interest from Keller in re-signing with the Cubs this winter. 

“Chicago is my favorite city,” he told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. “I love being in Chicago. I love playing for the Cubs. This is definitely a place that I want to come back to and enjoy. I know a lot of these guys are returning to this clubhouse, and I feel like there’s something special here. I would love to be a part of it, for sure.” 

Keller will likely demand a multi-year deal in free agency, a contract that he is deserving of following a breakout campaign. He pitched in a career-high 68 games in the regular season and only allowed one run across 5 ⅔ innings in the postseason. 

If the Cubs can bring him back for the 2026 season, that would be a major win for the bullpen. Keller would continue to thrive in his late-inning role and be that reliever that Counsell trusts later in games.

Sometimes, spending money on a reliable bullpen arm is a must in today’s game.