Former Red Sox right-handed pitcher heading to Chicago on minors pact
Another member of the Red Sox 2024 team is heading to the Cubs. Free agent right-handed pitcher Brad Keller is signing a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training, according to Jacob Zanolls of Cubs Insider.
Former Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire signed a minor league deal with the Cubs last week.
Keller pitched in 11 games, all out of the bullpen, for the Red Sox, recording a 0-2 record with a 5.84 ERA with 19 strikeouts and nine walks with a 1.622 WHIP.
The veteran righty saw the majority of his time on the mound with the WooSox, pitching in 13 games and making 10 starts with a 3-3 record and a 2.91 ERA.
Keller spoke highly about his time with the Red Sox, crediting the pitching program implemented by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and pitching coach Andrew Bailey.
“Things have been going amazing,” Keller said about pitching in the Red Sox organization back in August to Beyond the Monster. “I really like it over here and have learned a lot since getting here. I feel like I have gotten better every single time I go out there. I am working on a bunch of things and messing with repertoire and usage of my pitches.
“I am thinking through a lot more things than I used to and just being a sponge while I am here. I have been around a ton of knowledge working with Andrew Bailey in Boston and Dan DeLucia and Noah Junis here in Worcester. I learned some things over the last few years but feel like I am learning so much more with the Red Sox. My first couple of outings down here, I struggled a bit because I was trying to incorporate everything at once and felt a little overwhelmed. I wasn’t really competing and thinking about getting outs. I feel like we made some adjustments and will focus on certain things to execute and have game plans to make it better when I get back up to Boston.”
Keller was expected to pitch overseas in Japan next season for the Lotte Mariners. He had agreed to a deal with them back in early November but is now electing to stay in the United States and try and crack the Cubs 26-man roster out of spring training.
The Georgia native is a veteran of seven big league seasons, spending time with the Royals, White Sox, and Red Sox. He owns a career 38-57 record with a 4.34 ERA and a 4.40 FIP over 166 big league appearances.
