CHICAGO – It’s more than just free agency drama. After one of the most remarkable turnarounds of his career, pitcher Brad Keller made a heartfelt declaration during his offseason press tour: “Chicago is my favorite city. I love playing for the Cubs. This is definitely a place I want to come back to and enjoy.”
Those words — simple, honest, and deeply emotional — have reignited hope across Wrigley Field. When Keller signed a minor-league deal before the 2025 season, few expected he would become one of Chicago’s most reliable arms. But by year’s end, the 30-year-old had turned himself into a pitching revelation.
After years of uncertainty with the Royals and injuries limiting his play in 2023, Keller’s career was on the brink. Many assumed he would simply bounce from team to team without ever finding a home. That’s why what happened this season was so remarkable.
Re-imagined as a reliever with the Cubs, Keller appeared in 68 games, posting a stellar 2.07 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 69.2 innings. He converted both save opportunities and emerged as a powerhouse setup man. During the intense postseason schedule, he held opposing hitters to one earned run over 5.2 innings across five playoff appearances — a sentence nearly impossible to ignore.
Cubs brass were so impressed that they hinted at a lucrative multi-year offer, and when Keller speaks about Chicago, it’s painfully sincere.
“I know a lot of these guys are coming back to this clubhouse, and I feel like there’s something special here,” he said.
“I would love to be a part of it, for sure.”
The news of Keller’s desire to return has set baseball Twitter on fire. Fans have created chants, hashtags, and memes celebrating his comeback story — the guy who signed a minor-league contract and became the bullpen backbone.
That resilience is further amplified by his youth; at 30, he still has plenty of innings left. But this desire to return and finish his story in Chicago — potentially as the face of the bullpen — speaks to something deeper than money or fame.
“It’s about loyalty,” Keller added. “It’s about reciprocating the faith this organization and these fans showed me when most people had written me off.”
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