Boston Red Sox reliever Brad Keller was optioned to the minor leagues on Monday, and he elected free agency on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. Keller, 29, is now eligible to sign with any team after being one of many roster moves at the beginning of the week. This was his first season with Boston. Keller is the second Red Sox reliever to do so, with right-hander Chase Anderson leaving the organization in early August.
Brad Keller had the right to elect free agency when the Red Sox optioned him. He exercised it and is now a free agent.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) August 13, 2024
Recently Optioned Brad Keller Elects Free Agency
Keller’s decision marks the second time he has entered free agency during the 2024 season. He began the year with the Chicago White Sox, pitching just under 17 innings. Keller was designated for assignment on May 20 and elected free agency two days later. He signed with the Red Sox on May 26 and made his first MLB appearance with the organization that month. Keller had a 5.66 ERA in 10 appearances with Boston and has a 5.30 ERA for the 2024 campaign.
Keller spent over a month with Triple-A Worcester from late June to early August. His only appearance came after being called back up, allowing three runs in four innings against the Houston Astros on Saturday. With Keller electing free agency, the Red Sox now have 39 members of their 40-man roster. The club will fill that through a free agent or current member of the club that is not 40-man selected.
Brad Keller exercised his right to elect free agency when optioned, so he is no longer in the Red Sox organization, per @alexspeier.
With Anderson/Keller gone and Criswell presumably in the rotation after Paxton’s injury, will be interesting to see who takes on mop-up duties. pic.twitter.com/4zJhAMPBdb
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) August 13, 2024
Keller was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2013 MLB Draft. The Kansas City Royals plucked him from the D-Backs in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. He was a fixture in the Royals’ rotation from 2018-23 before the Chicago White Sox signed him to a minor league deal over the winter. He had a brief run with Chicago before electing free agency again and joining the Red Sox.
Main Photo: © Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
