I’d like to see a 2-year extension for Keller. His uptick in velo is huge, and we need high-leverage guys. Thoughts?

I get relievers are a year to year thing, but we should want some stability at the back end of the pen. Keller has been our workhorse in the pen and one of the biggest surprises this year. His velo has a big uptick from previous years. Unless he wants to test FA as a SP, I'd like to snag him on a short-term deal to be our setup guy.

I know Jed likes to figure pens on the fly with 1-year deals, but you should want to keep a good high-leverage guy. Jed has struck out this year and last year by signing old vets to try and be our setup guys, with Neris and Pressley. Keller is only 30, and it beats trying to find a new one in FA every year. All the young arms we have under control have question marks. Hodge had his moments, but who knows? This doesn't mean Keller will be this good going forward, but he's been the most consistent thing in our pen this year, and we should want a solid setup and closer going forward. Thielbar will 39 next year, but I wouldn't mind if he was back on a 1-year deal. If Palencia is going to be our guy, we should want a stopper in-front of him.

I'd feel much better going into next year knowing we have a good 1-2 at the back-end, rather than rolling the dice on some old vets who don't have it anymore. I just hope Jed opens up the checkup just a lil bit for a good reliever and doesn't try and bargain shop all the time.