'A turning of the tides': Pirates teammates thrilled to see Mitch Keller's long-term deal

BRADENTON, Fla. — As word buzzed around the spring training complex that the Pittsburgh Pirates had come to an agreement with staff ace Mitch Keller on a contract extension, only one thing was missing.

That would be Mitch Keller.

Before the 27-year-old All-Star right-hander could sign a five-year, $77 million contract through 2028, he had to go through a battery of tests to pass a physical exam. So Keller wasn’t around his locker much Thursday at Pirate City, much to the surprise of one of his locker mates.

“When I found out, I came to congratulate him and couldn’t find him,” Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker said. “He was probably all over the place, talking to everybody else. I eventually found him, and he was excited. I didn’t get to watch his bullpen so I don’t know if the mph’s were up today or not but I’m sure they were. I’m sure he’s feeling good to have a nice little monkey off his back.”

After posting a 3.09 ERA over his final 13 starts of 2022, Keller earned his first All-Star selection last season. He went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 194 1/3 innings over 32 starts and set a franchise record for strikeouts by a right-hander (210).

“I’m happy for him”: Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes on Mitch Keller’s contract. pic.twitter.com/KWR4281XoA

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 22, 2024

“Obviously what he did last year for us just shows he can be an ace for us,” Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes said. “We’re super happy to have him here long-term with us.”

Keller became the third player the Pirates extended over the past three years, following Hayes (eight years, $70 million) in April 2022 and left fielder Bryan Reynolds (eight years, $106.75 million) last April, as they continue to build around a young core.

Pirates LF Bryan Reynolds reacts to All-Star RHP Mitch Keller agreeing to 5-year contract. pic.twitter.com/qGyFgqqBA2

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 22, 2024

Where the Pirates traded pitchers Gerrit Cole, Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon and All-Stars in first baseman Josh Bell and second baseman Adam Frazier in their second year of arbitration, they locked up Keller before he could become a free agent in 2026.

“I guess it’s kind of a turning of the tides,” Reynolds said. “It signals that we’re here to compete and win instead of play and trade. It’s nice to see that. I’m glad I get to play next to Mitch for awhile. I’m really excited for him.”

Most of all, Pirates players appreciated that Keller was rewarded for a journey that had plenty of peaks and valleys.

A former second-round pick, Keller was the Pirates’ top pitching prospect before making a disastrous debut in May 2019. He had several rocky seasons as a starter, was demoted to Triple-A for about seven weeks in 2021 and moved to the bullpen for a few games the following season before establishing himself as a frontline starter.

Pirates 2-time All-Star closer David Bednar is pumped about his Pirate City locker mate Mitch Keller’s contract. pic.twitter.com/fqEZdMhiNa

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) February 22, 2024

No one was more excited than two-time All-Star closer David Bednar, another locker mate who had discussed the possibility of an extension with Keller and could tell by the beaming smile on his face that the deal had been completed.

“Oh, yeah, you could tell. His vibe … he was just cheesin’,” Bednar said. “Beyond excited for him. It’s unbelievable. I don’t even have words. I’m just excited, as I’m sure he is. It’s well-deserved. I’m so happy for him and his family. The journey that it took to get there, it’s remarkable. I think it makes it even sweeter. …

“It’s an awesome win for the organization, an awesome win for the fan base. As a team, to have that rock in the rotation, it’s huge. You’re able to just build off of that. It’s really exciting that he’s going to be here for a long time to come. It’s really special.”