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Cubs Agree To Minor League Deal With Brad Keller, Finalizing Deal With Brandon Hughes

By Steve Adams | January 31, 2025 at 11:41am CDT

The Cubs have agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Brad Keller, as first reported by Cubs Insider’s Jacob Zanolla. He’ll be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee next month. They’re also finalizing a minor league pact to bring left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes back to the organization, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.

Keller, 29, quickly emerged as one of the better Rule 5 picks in recent memory when the Royals plucked him out of the D-backs’ system back in 2017. From 2018-20, he was a productive fixture on Kansas City’s staff, eventually sliding in as a set member of the rotation. In those three seasons, he logged 360 1/3 innings of 3.50 ERA ball with a 16.8% strikeout rate and 9.1% walk rate. Both those marks were worse than league-average, but Keller posted a strong 52.1% grounder rate and proved adept at dodging hard contact and keeping the ball in the park.

In 2021, Keller’s results deteriorated in a hurry. He still made 26 starts and ate up 133 1/3 innings, but his walk and ground-ball rates checked in at career-worst levels as his ERA spiked to 5.39. His ERA in 2022 was again north of 5.00 in a similar sample of innings. By 2023, Keller’s command issues had elevated to calamitous levels. He issued 45 free passes in 45 1/3 innings, doling out a base on balls to 21.3% of his opponents. He was eventually diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and underwent season-ending surgery.

In 2024, Keller split the year between the White Sox and Red Sox. He spent the bulk of his season in Triple-A, where he logged a combined 3.28 earned run average, 21.1% strikeout rate, 8.1% walk rate and 54.5% grounder rate between the two organizations. His big league work was much rougher. In 41 1/3 frames, Keller was tagged for a 5.44 ERA with a 16.7% strikeout rate. His walk and ground-ball rates were strong, however, respectively landing at 7.6% and 50%.

Hughes, 29, looked on the cusp of breaking out with the 2022 Cubs. He pitched 16 2/3 shutout innings between Double-A and Triple-A before being called to the majors for 57 2/3 innings of 3.12 ERA ball as a rookie. He was too homer-prone, averaging 1.72 round-trippers per nine frames, but by season’s end he was closing down games for the Cubs, tallying eight saves. He fanned a strong 28.5% of opponents against a solid 8.8% walk rate.

Knee troubles tanked Hughes’ 2023 season, as he pitched only 13 2/3 innings with an ERA north of 7.00. His minor league work was no better, as opponents tagged him for 11 runs in just 11 innings. He underwent a debridement procedure in his left knee that June and was on the injured list until September. The Cubs non-tendered him in November, and he signed a minor league deal in Arizona. Hughes made it back to the majors with the Diamondbacks but clearly wasn’t right. He posted an 8.15 ERA in 17 2/3 big league frames, though his 2.03 earned run average in 48 Triple-A innings creates some more reason for optimism.

Both Keller and Hughes will be in the mix as bullpen depth this spring, though Keller could also serve as depth for the starting staff. The Cubs have added Ryan Pressly and Eli Morgan to the ’pen by way of the trade market this winter and also inked free agent southpaw Caleb Thielbar to a big league deal. That trio will join Porter Hodge, Tyson Miller, Nate Pearson, Julian Merryweather and Keegan Thompson as relief candidates. Each of Miller, Merryweather and Thompson is out of minor league options, so they’ll need to make the Opening Day roster or else be traded or designated for assignment (ultimately passing through waivers if they’re to have any chance of being sent to Triple-A). Trevor Richards, Phil Bickford, Ben Heller and Brooks Kriske are among the other veteran arms who’ll be in camp on non-roster deals.

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13 Comments

  1. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    9 months ago

    Cubs team is rounding out nicely. Should be a fun battle with the Brewers and others for the NL Central Division crown.

    4
    Reply
    • kgcubs

      9 months ago

      Aloha MLB, agreed. Maybe they can go into ST with what they have now. Possibly sign a Canha or France to help with 1B, when Busch needs a break. Mahalo

      4
      Reply
  2. ncaachampillini

    9 months ago

    Hopefully these two are nothing more than minor league depth. Doesn’t sound like there’s much left with either of these guys.

    Reply
  3. holycow16

    9 months ago

    Glad Hughes is coming back to the fold!

    6
    Reply
  4. kgcubs

    9 months ago

    Aloha folks, welcome back Hughes! Team is stocked up on arms. Mahalo!

    2
    Reply
    • spooky

      9 months ago

      We get it KG, you’re Canadian. Thanks for letting the site know every post

      1
      Reply
      • Acoss1331

        9 months ago

        Pretty sure he’s either from Hawaii or lives in Hawaii. The aloha gives it away…

        2
        Reply
        • Lomez

          9 months ago

          I thought the overtly nice part gave it away that he was Canadian.

          1
          Reply
      • kgcubs

        9 months ago

        Aloha Spooky, it’s a thing growing up there. And my parents always said to spread the “Aloha Spirit.” Have a blessed day. Mahalo!

        Reply
    • Don Zimmer

      9 months ago

      Totally agree. Hopefully he gets back to his 22 form.

      Reply
  5. Bruce wulff

    9 months ago

    Around the edges that’s Jed’s philosophy instead of making big splash! What’s the point?

    Reply
  6. آلي مكبيل_.._.بيتزا بيبيروني آشتون كوتشر

    9 months ago

    Thought for sure the Pirates would sign Brad Keller, trade Mitch Keller, and then assign Brad #23 as a cost saving measure. Fans would never know.

    Reply
  7. BigBopper

    9 months ago

    Hughes worth taking a flier on.

    Reply

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