Free-agent right-hander Dallas Keuchel has said he isn't backing down as he waits to sign for what he thinks he's worth, and the Yankees apparently are willing to be patient too before making a move on him.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said Thursday on WFAN that the Yankees are the team most likely to land Keuchel but will wait some three weeks when draft-pick compensation goes away with the 2019 MLB Draft, which begins June 3.
Two key factors make the Yankees attractive to Keuchel, according to Heyman: He would prefer a large market and, obviously, a chance to win a World Series.
“I think the Yankees will be there for Keuchel," Heyman said. "I think at this point there's not a bad chance that the Yankees end up with Keuchel. Keuchel, from what I understand, would love to be in a big market, and the suitors for the most part to this point have not been of that ilk … if I had to pick one team out of the 30 right now, I would go with the Yankees."
Yankees will be interested once the draft pick compensation goes away June 2, and belief is, he’d prefer big market (and obviously a chance to win again) https://t.co/qi3yjad9va
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 10, 2019
Keuchel remains a free agent, despite winning the AL Cy Young award in 2015 and posting sub-4.00 ERAs in four of his last five seasons (sub-.300 ERAs in three of those) while eclipsing the 200-inning mark in three of his last five years, all with the Astros.
He recently said he's going to wait to sign a deal that is appropriate to his value and his worth. Keuchel added he's not going to take anything less, and while he wants to be on a team right now, he's not going to sacrifice his principles just to get back on the field.
“Why succumb to teams that think you’re needy and you’re willing to accept a lesser offer than your market value?" Keuchel told Yahoo Sports. "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?”
For context: Keuchel, 31, posted as good as or better numbers than Patrick Corbin in 2018, 2017 and 2015, and Corbin, a lefty, signed with the Nationals for six years, $140 million this offseason.
Corbin is two years younger than Keuchel, but his injury history is far more extensive than his Keuchel's. An argument could be made that Keuchel deserves a similar deal.
This year, several players signed for below what many believed they were worth going into the offseason. Yasmani Grandal signed a one-year contract coming off of a career year, DJ LeMahieu took a lower offer, Carlos Gonzalez and Gio Gonzalez each had to settle for minor league deals and Craig Kimbrel, like Keuchel, remains unsigned.
Some players settled while others continue to wait. Many have complained about the current state of free agency, and Keuchel has heard those complaints. He isn't simply waiting for his deal for his sake anymore. His delay comes with a higher purpose.
“This is not a me thing,” he said. “This is for the greater good of baseball. This is for principle.”
Listen to all of Heyman's interview on WFAN's "Joe & Evan" below: