Dallas Keuche finally has a home as he’s agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have a 4.36 team ERA. That is the same as the Miami Marlins, who have the worst record in the National League. They are ninth in hits, and runs allowed. Kevin Gausman has a 6.15 ERA. Mike Foltynewicz has a 5.89 ERA. In a division where the Philadelphia Phillies have all sorts of injuries and the Washington Nationals and New York Mets having bullpen issues and their own health issues, the Atlanta Braves needed to make a move.
They did just that by ending our long national nightmare and giving free agent Dallas Keuchel, and his beard, a home for the rest of the season.
Keuchel deal is for one year, $13 million. Physical is Friday in Atlanta. First start is scheduled for Saturday in Gwinnett.
— Tim Brown (@ByTimBrown) June 7, 2019
Last season in Houston, Keuchel went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA, a 3.69 FIP and a WAR of 3.3. His K rate dropped four percent last year to 17.5%, while his BABIP rose from .268 to an even .300 in 2018.
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Keuchel had been one of the top ground ball pitchers in the sport, however, he saw his ground ball rate decline from 66% in 2017 to over 53% in 2018. Hitters were making contact 81% of the time against him on swings.
The issue for the Atlanta Braves is when will Keuchel be ready? All-Star Break? Slightly before that? Sim games are one thing, but being on the bump, with all the adrenaline of trying to face guys like Bryce Harper and Pete Alonso in the NL East is a totally different animal.
The Atlanta Braves had to make this move, if they think they are a contender this year. With the way the National League is, and the talent they have on this club they should. Keuchel gives them a buffer to let their wealth of young pitching continue to develop, and give Keuchel a chance to boost his stock in the off-season and without draft pick compensation attached.
The Dallas Keuchel signing could be a win-win if the Atlanta Braves make it back to October.