If you didn’t think the Philadelphia Phillies offseason could get any better, for a short-term deal, they’re also willing to add southpaw Dallas Keuchel.
To this point, the Philadelphia Phillies have spent over $400M on free agents while also improving their shortstop and catching positions via the trade. Now, as if things couldn’t get any better for the City of Brotherly Love, if he’s willing to take a short-term deal, the Phillies are favored to land Dallas Keuchel as well.
Astros understandably like their team but they’re said still in touch with Dallas Keuchel, who received 3 calls the day Harper got done. Phillies are also in and could solidify their favorite status by importing star lefty, tho with prospects coming they’re preferring short term.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2019
Along with Craig Kimbrel, with three weeks left until Opening Day, Keuchel is the biggest name left in free agency. With few teams vying for his services, he may have to settle for a short-term deal.
What better place to take that type of deal than Philadelphia?
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After suffering a mild collapse in the second half of the 2018 season, the Phillies are looking to go all the way in 2019. Upon improving drastically on the offensive side of the ball, the last piece to the puzzle might be just one more starting pitcher.
With Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, two righties, occupying the 1 and 2 spots of the rotation, who better than, LHP Dallas Keuchel – the 2015 AL Cy Young award winner – to occupy the 3rd. Especially considering that the Phillies depth chart features only one left-handed SP, Ranger Suarez, who has only pitched 2 innings in MLB.
Keuchel, on the other hand, has 7-years of AL experience, pitching to a career 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. What’s more, considering that Citizens Bank is such a hitters park, Keuchel gives up very few home runs, allowing just 0.9 HR/9 for his career.
The Phillies should act quickly. It seems that the Houston Astros might strike and retain the veteran lefty if nobody takes a chance on him. There’s also the possibility that the New York Yankees might strike on Keuchel considering Luis Severino‘s latest injury.
If the Phils could pull this off, it’ll be interesting to see if they go after Kimbrel too.