The New York Yankees could use some help on the mound. It’s no secret that a few of their starters are going to begin the 2026 season on the shelf. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt will return at various points once the season is underway. That leaves Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Will Warren as the rotation to begin the year. I’m not the best with numbers, but that’s one shy of a healthy rotation.
That’s why free agent Brad Keller should pique the interest of the Yankees. He’s a swingman who found his groove in 2025 and would be a critical addition to the Yankees. Keller’s recent comments should catch the interest of the Yankees.
Brad Keller’s Recent Comments Should Catch the New York Yankees’ Attention
Keller was recently on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. He spoke about several topics, including his thoughts on being a starter versus a reliever.
“Whatever innings they ask me to do, that’s what I’m willing to do,” Keller said to the hosts of Hot Stove on November 17, 2025. “As far as starting/relieving, I think I’m willing to do both. I’ve been a starter my whole career. I love starting, all that fun stuff. But this year, I had a ton of fun coming out of the bullpen. And I loved what I did this year, being able to close out games and being able to pitch middle innings, leverage innings.”
“It was just a lot of fun. I’m game to do both.”
Keller pitched for the Chicago Cubs for the 2025 season. In 69 2/3 innings, he recorded 75 strikeouts and posted a career-best 0.96 WHIP & 2.07 ERA. He finished the year with a 4-2 record to go along with 25 holds and three saves.
Yankees Could Use a Reliable Swingman
The uncertainty created by Cole, Schmidt, and Rodon’s injuries should make signing a swingman a top priority.
The Yankees could sign Keller, with both parties understanding that he could pitch as both a starter and reliever for the 2026 campaign. He has some history as a starter in addition to his career year as a reliever.
Keller started at least 20 games in four of his first five seasons pitching in the MLB. While the results are somewhat mixed, there’s no harm in bringing him on board.
The worst-case scenario would be Keller bombing in his first several outings as a starter and then getting moved to the bullpen earlier than expected. If that happened around the same time that one of Cole, Rodon, or Schmidt is ready to return, then it’s no harm, no foul.
Keller Drawing Interest in Free Agency
Joel Sherman of the New York Post was the first to report that Keller is drawing free agency interest as both a reliever and a starter.
“Brad Keller, who revived his career last season out of the Cubs bullpen, is receiving inquiries this offseason as both a starter and reliever,” Sherman wrote on November 13, 2025. “Keller is still just 30, and there are teams curious if the improved arsenal can not translate back to being a starter. In recent years, pitchers such as Clay Holmes, Michael King, Reynaldo Lopez, and Seth Lugo have successfully returned from the pen to starting.”
According to Spotrac, Keller’s annual market value is approximately $1.8 million. That’s pocket change for a club that could use a versatile arm.
Are the Yankees one of those teams? There are no confirmed reports of whether they are. However, if they aren’t, they may want to reconsider that approach.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees Should Seize Bargain Arm From Cubs After Recent Comments appeared first on Heavy Sports.