With rumors of what the Houston Astros have offered Dallas Keuchel, we have a better idea of what it would take for the Atlanta Braves to land him.
According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Astros have made one and two-year offers to Dallas Keuchel. Knowing that, we can make a safe assumption as to what it would take for the Atlanta Braves to sign him.
While I still think the Astros are the favorite to land him, a team like the Atlanta Braves could certainly sweep in and grab him at this point.
I’m not all that worried about some of the injuries in the pitching staff, but I still believe the Braves need a veteran horse with playoff experience atop the rotation.
Unless the front office feels they can get someone like that in a trade during the season, Keuchel is their best chance at getting a guy like that for 2019.
Having had a lot of time to think about the possibility of the Braves signing Keuchel, I’ve had time to see some of the flaws that have ultimately led to him not getting the big offer he desired this offseason.
His velocity is down, he’s on the back half of his career, and he’s nowhere near his Cy Young season from 2015. I get all of that, but if you don’t think Dallas Keuchel improves the Atlanta Braves rotation, then I don’t know what to tell you.
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The fact is, if he were on the Braves and they made the playoffs, Keuchel would start game one.
Having said all that, I’m not one of those Braves fans who thinks they should go out and sign him at all cost. I do not want to be tied up in a big, long-term deal with Keuchel.
But if his best offer right now is a two-year deal from the Astros, then I certainly think there is a comfortable offer the Braves can give him that beats that offer.
Now we don’t know the monetary value that was in the Astros’ offer, but I’m going to guess it wasn’t that high.
If the Atlanta Braves really want Dallas Keuchel, then they should offer him a three-year deal worth $15 million a year.
I think that is the deal that would ultimately land the 31-year-old left-handed starter. And that is the deal I would feel comfortable with the Braves giving him.
That price level of $15 million a year is as high as I would want to go, as is three years. But if the Braves could get Keuchel on this deal, and I believe they have the money to do so, I would be more than happy.