MLB rumors: 3 pitchers the Braves have to avoid trading for
By Josh Wilson
Pitchers the Braves shouldn’t trade for: Brad Keller
Oh, a mediocre pitcher on a bad team? Sign us up, right?
Of course not. Can’t mess up a good thing with a lukewarm arm.
After a strong start to the year that figured to have him in the conversation in trade season, Kansas City Royals starter Brad Keller has cooled off considerably, now with a 4.36 ERA and 1.869 WHIP. The Royals will probably try to cash in on Keller (as well as Aroldis Chapman out of the bullpen) since he’s a free agent this summer.
Atlanta shouldn’t bite, because Keller has been inconsistent throughout his career and in this season alone.
Throughout his career, he has been demoted to the bullpen at times and closed seasons with ERAs anywhere from 2.47 to 5.39. Granted, he has not played on good teams, but he’s not the guaranteed win at the deadline the Braves should be looking for if they make a change to the rotation.
Looking at his field-independent pitching, too, his ERA is actually masked to some degree by the Royals defense, with an FIP this year of 5.73, 1.37 worse than his ERA.
All around, Keller feels like a high-ceiling, but low-floor addition. The Braves need a more certain thing.