Dallas Keuchel rumors: Are these 3 teams the favorites to sign the starter?

E.Jay Zarett

Dallas Keuchel rumors: Are these 3 teams the favorites to sign the starter? image

There appears to be three teams in the lead to sign Dallas Keuchel.

The Yankees, Braves and Cardinals are considered the “favorites” to sign the 31-year-old starter, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.

Keuchel has had an extended stay in free agency after registering a 12-11 record and a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts with the Astros last season. He struck out 153 and walked 58 in 204 2/3 innings on the mound.

The two-time All-Star and 2015 Cy Young award winner has spent his entire seven-year career with Houston. He reportedly is willing to accept a one-year deal but said earlier this month he’s committed to waiting for the right offer.

“This is not a me thing,” Keuchel told Yahoo Sports at the time. “This is for the greater good of baseball. This is for principle.

“Why succumb to teams that think you’re needy and you’re willing to accept a lesser offer than your market value? It’s all relative. If you’re at work and you’re killing your job, nine to five every day, and you get another offer that’s less, why would you accept that offer?”

The Twins have reportedly shown interest in Keuchel, as well, while he has also been linked to the Brewers and Rays, amongst others.

"My asking price and my due diligence is not just out of left field,” Keuchel said earlier this month. “It has come to me through my own career path, my own career numbers, and then what my market is valued at this point in time. To this point it hasn’t been matched. It’s been less than what it should be.

“And this is out of principle, what’s going on right now. I can’t speak for other players. It’s a principle for me. I’m not asking for the world.”

Any team that lands Keuchel will not lose a pick as he will have signed after the MLB Draft, which began Monday.

 

E.Jay Zarett