Max Kepler wasn't expected to be the first power-hitting corner outfielder to fly off the free agent board after Juan Soto signed his 15-year, $765 million megadeal with the New York Mets.
While the Philadelphia Phillies certainly don't view Kepler as a riposte to their division rival's big move, signing Kepler to a one-year contract — as first reported by Todd Zolecki and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com on Thursday — represents a low-risk signing on the free agent market that should boost the offensive output of their outfield.
Sources telling @feinsand and me that the #Phillies and OF Max Kepler are working on a one-year deal, pending a physical. Kepler, 31, has spent entire 10-year career with the Twins.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) December 20, 2024According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the contract would pay Kepler $10 million.
Outfielder Max Kepler and the Philadlephia Philies are in agreement on a one-year, $10 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal, which is pending a physical, will give the Phillies a new corner outfielder in the 31-year-old Kepler. First on the scene: @Feinsand/@ToddZolecki.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 20, 2024Kepler, 31, is a career .237 hitter with 161 home runs and 508 RBIs in parts of 10 seasons (2015-24) with the Minnesota Twins.
Kepler hit a career-high 36 home runs with 90 RBIs in 2019 when he slashed .252/.336/.519 and collected downballot American League MVP votes. A left-handed hitter, Kepler's production has cooled off since, as he shifted principally to a platoon role, rarely starting against left-handed pitching.
Kepler got 317 of his 399 plate appearances in 2024 against right-handed pitchers and finished with eight home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .253 average in 105 games. Ironically he performed slightly better against lefties in a small sample, with a .721 OPS compared to .672 against righties.
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In 2023, Kepler hit 24 homers and hit .260 in 130 games. His .816 OPS was among the better marks among American League outfielders.
The Twins signed Kepler to a five-year, $35 million contract prior to the 2019 season, with a team option for 2024. He hit the free-agent market for the first time at the conclusion of the season.
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The Phillies already have a left-handed hitting outfielder in Brandon Marsh who slugged a modest .419 in 2014 and is known more for his speed and defense. Kepler gives them another option and allows Marsh to play center field, where Johan Rojas had a measly .601 OPS last season and is more valuable with his glove.
Born in Berlin to an American mother and a Polish father, Kepler is the first European-born player ever to hit three home runs in a single game. He was signed by the Twins' former international scouting coordinator, Howard Norsetter, to a $775,000 bonus in July 2009.
Kepler became the first German-born product of MLB's European Elite Camp to appear on an Opening Day roster in Major League history when he made the Minnesota Twins' opening day roster in 2017.
More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
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