This past winter was one of more volatile offseason battles between team owners and the MLBPA. Executive director Tony Clark was vocal about his displeasure with the amount of players that remained unsigned as Spring Training arrived, as well as the sheer lack of long-term contracts being handed to players not named Manny Machado or Bryce Harper.
The latter factor played a particular role in the free agencies of Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel, both of whom are still unemployed. Each player is over 30, but Kimbrel and Keuchel also wanted to secure their future. Numerous reports circulated throughout the winter that both players were hoping to sign deals of at least four years (Kimbrel was rumored to be asking for six).
Another component stemmed from the fact that any team that signed either Kimbrel or Keuchel would have to give up a compensatory first-round draft pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. However, with the draft concluding on June 5, those compensation picks are null and void.
Kimbrel has already found a home, agreeing to terms with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. But what about Keuchel?
After all, Keuchel is still a former AL Cy Young that has been one of the most effective starting pitchers in the league for the last several years. He has a lot to offer potential contenders.
With that in mind, here are three ideal fits for Dallas Keuchel:
The Twins were considered a dark horse in the American League, but instead have jumped out to a 40-19 start, leading the second-place Indians by 10.5 games as of June 5.
Part of their success stems from the arms at the top of their rotation, Jake Odorizzi and Jose Berrios. Odorizzi had a sub-1.00 ERA in May, and Berrios has continued to showcase the kind of stuff that makes him one of the best young pitchers in the league. Fellow rotation mates Kyle Gibson and Martin Perez have been very effective, as well.
But Minnesota could certainly stand to add another left-handed arm, especially given the fact that veteran Michael Pineda is still on the Injured List and was not very effective to begin with.
The Twins have one of the best lineups in baseball, and they possess lockdown arms at the end of the bullpen. Adding Keuchel would supplement the team in these areas while filling out a rotation that would suddenly look like one of the most complete in the American League.
The Yankees already landed one impact left-hander when they traded for James Paxton last November. But they should also look into Keuchel, especially given the very real possibility that Luis Severino may be done for the year.
Domingo German has been incredibly valiant filling in for Severino, and he may even remain in the rotation. But J.A. Happ continues to disappoint in the Bronx, and C.C. Sabathia's peripherals suggest that he is bound for regression. Not to mention, he is retiring after this year.
With those factors in mind, the Yanks should negate their losses by signing Dallas Keuchel, a dependable ground ball pitcher that would not be drastically affected by taking the ball at Yankee Stadium. After all, he has a 2.45 ERA in five career starts there.
The Yankees continue to get offensive production despite all of their injuries, and their bullpen is arguably the best in baseball. But Keuchel would give them that much more depth and options in the rotation.
San Diego has made huge financial commitments to Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado, but they would be smart to pursue Keuchel, especially if they are also trying to contend for a Wild Card spot this year.
The Padres have a host of young arms, but they still need time to grow. Matt Strahm and Nick Margevicius both struggled in May, and Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi are likely to hover around a 4.00 ERA all season.
But 23-year-old Chris Paddack is legit, and Keuchel would offer another experienced and dependable arm to take some of the pressure off of the young rookie.
Similarly, Keuchel would likely excel at Petco Park, a traditional pitcher's paradise that rewards ground ball pitchers like him.
San Diego has a lockdown bullpen, and a young lineup that is continuing to hit their stride as we approach the summer months.
Are the Friars serious about speeding up this rebuild? If so, they may as well take a gamble on Dallas Keuchel.
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