It's no secret the Twins need bullpen help after trading relievers Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Louis Varland and Danny Coulombe as part of this past summer's trade deadline fire sale. The recent signing of first baseman Josh Bell backs up the Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale's report that Twins president Derek Falvey is seeking to add a power bat, which he got in Bell, and bullpen help.
Now that he has signed a power bat, Falvey just needs to add bullpen help to back up his statement. The Athletics' Dan Hayes reported the Twins have "about $20 million to spend" in free agency. So far, they have committed only $7 million to Bell, leaving about $13 million to spend. That should be enough to get the Twins 2-3 solid relievers.
MLB insider Jim Bowden linked Twins to new Phillies reliever Brad Keller
The Philadelphia Phillies and righty reliever Brad Keller agreed to a two-year deal, according to FanSided's Robert Murray.
Bowden previously linked the Twins to the righty reliever, who posted a 2.07 ERA and 0.962 WHIP with 75 strikeouts and 22 walks across 69 2/3 innings during the regular season with Chicago. Keller, 30, had success during last season's playoffs as well, allowing just one earned run on two hits (one homer) and two walks with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings against the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.
Keller relies on five pitches. He throws a high-90s four-seamer (42.2%) and sinker (14.4%), high-80s slider (17.3%) and sweeper (14.5%) and low-90s changeup (92.7%).
Keller is a familiar face for Twins fans. He began his MLB career with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, posting a 3.08 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 50 walks in 140 1/3 innings over 41 games (20 starts). Kansas City mainly used him as a starter, a role in which he struggled. He spent parts of six seasons with the Royals, managing a 4.27 ERA over 679 innings.
Keller became a free agent in the 2023-24 offseason and signed with the Chicago White Sox. After just five appearances with the White Sox, Keller was designated for assignment. He then signed with the Boston Red Sox, managing a 5.84 ERA in 11 games. He spent time in the minors in 2024 as well. Upon signing with the Cubs, Keller easily had the best season of his career. It's too bad the Twins didn't sign him, as he would've been a perfect fit for their bullpen.