Atlanta Braves Rumors: Braves among favorites to land Dallas Keuchel
Hot off the press, the Atlanta Braves find themselves at the center of the latest rumor regarding free agent starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel.
The talk of Dallas Keuchel – and several other free agents still available – has been prevalent over the last several weeks, but the intensity has ramped up with the beginning of the 2019 MLB Draft, which has freed up teams, including the Atlanta Braves, to make a move without losing that coveted draft pick.
Legitimate rumors of soon-to-be-done deals, though, have been fairly quiet to this point.
Until now.
On Tuesday morning, Mark Feinsand, executive reporter for MLB.com, dropped this very juicy tidbit:
"According to a source, the Yankees and Braves are the favorites to sign Dallas Keuchel. Both teams are believed to be in the same area with their offers at the moment."
Instant reaction: There’s a couple of things at play here.
First, this is perhaps the first rumor that legitimately states the Atlanta Braves are a clear “favorite” for Keuchel, and not just a speculative team of interest.
Second, this rumor takes things a step further by indicating that the Braves have already put in an offer for the free-agent left-hander.
An update from Feinsand moments later, however, provided an extension to the rumors…and this one points more towards the Bronx.
"A second source believes the Yankees are going to land Dallas Keuchel, and that they are emerging as the true favorites for the former Cy Young winner."
Keuchel, 31, has not pitched for a Major League team other than the Houston Astros. He’s carved out a pretty strong career for himself to this point, making the All-Star team twice (2015, 2017) and most notably bringing home the 2015 AL Cy Young Award.
He’s got a career 3.66 ERA while having accumulated 17.6 fWAR.
Keuchel’s profile as a groundball pitcher would seemingly work well in Atlanta, with the Braves’ above-average infield defense.
The Atlanta Braves could use the help in the rotation.
The Braves’ starting pitching ERA sits at 4.16 – good for 12th in MLB – not bad, but probably not the elite level that would carry the team far into October.
There’s also some familiarity with the Braves for Keuchel, as the lefty has plenty of experience in working with current Atlanta catcher Brian McCann.
Next. Braves draft grades. dark
To summarize, to this point, nothing is imminent, though it does seem as though Atlanta could legitimately be a player for Keuchel’s services.