Keller made 26 stars in Double-A, throwing 130 2/3 innings with a 4.68 ERA, and averaging 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.9 walks. Also involved in the trade were the Mets, who sent Burch Smith to the Royals, who was sidelined for two years following Tommy John surgery. Both the Mets and Reds will receive a player to be named later.
Winter Meetings updates
- The St. Louis Cardinals quickly shrugged off losing the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes when he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause last week. They acquired his teammate Miami Marlins teammate Marcell Ozuna, another all-star outfielder with a big bat. Their other deal Wednesday was to bring back reliever Luke Gregerson, signing him to a two-year $11 million contract. He's coming off his worst year in the majors.
- Ken Rosenthal reported Steve Cishek, the reliever and former closer, signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Cishek had a 2.01 ERA, 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.8 walks splitting the season between Seattle and Tampa Bay after a midseason trade.