Kimbrel, Keuchel could find interest renewed at last
The Craig Kimbrel-Dallas Keuchel sweepstakes awoke from its hibernation with the MLB draft getting underway, as potential suitors now can sign the free agents without giving up a draft pick.
A third of the way into the season, most teams know where they stand and have had ample time to consider their needs heading into the summer.
What kind of contracts will these two pitchers get? They could sign prorated deals for this season and give free agency another shot this winter, but it’s possible they agree to multiyear contracts.
Teams in contention will be pursuing them hard this week, and each should have a range of options.
Here’s a look at some of the possible landing spots for Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star, and Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner:
Craig Kimbrel
❚ Cubs: The trade for Aroldis Chapman put them over the top in 2016 and they’re in desperate need of a closer if they want to make a run this year. Steve Cishek leads the team with five saves, but Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. have struggled.
❚ Braves: Their 4.41 bullpen ERA ranks 10th in the National League through Sunday. Arodys Vizcaino suffered a season-ending injury and was shipped to Seattle, while promising lefty A.J. Minter had to be demoted after a series of rough outings. Bringing Kimbrel back to where his career began would be a good move.
❚ Phillies: Their bullpen hasn’t been as bad as expected, even with David Robertson, who they signed to a twoyear, $23 million deal, out since mid-April. Kimbrel could slide into the ninth inning without much argument and solidify the late innings for the first-place Phillies.
❚ Brewers: Closer Corey Knebel’s season-ending injury has forced lightsout Josh Hader into ninth-inning duties. While he’s thriving, he was so dangerous in 2018 because he didn’t have a set role. Kimbrel would lock down the ninth inning, allowing manager Craig Counsell to use Hader in more high-leverage situations in the late innings.
❚ Dodgers: They have Kenley Jansen, but the bridge to him is a little shaky. Pedro Baez has been good, but winter addition Joe Kelly has been a disaster with a 7.91 ERA in 20 games. This could get tricky logistically since Jansen and Kimbrel will both want to close, but perhaps they could find a solution that would benefit the greater good.
Dallas Keuchel
❚ Yankees: The rotation has been pretty effective, even without Luis Severino, expected to make his debut some time after the All-Star break, and James Paxton, who has missed the past month. Keuchel’s ground-ball inducing ways would play well in Yankee Stadium and provide the first-place team with a reliable arm in the march toward the postseason.
❚ Braves: Their starting pitching has been mix-and-match since opening day, but they’ve found a nice groove lately. They have an abundance of young arms who have pitched to varying levels of success, but Keuchel would be a true anchor for a team that can definitely win the division.
❚ Cardinals: The NL Central is wide open, and the Cardinals’ rotation — 10th in the NL with a 4.35 ERA — is what’s holding them back. Keuchel would inject life into that group.
❚ Brewers: The reigning division champions’ starting pitching was always going to be an issue. While in-season acquisition Gio Gonzalez has done a great job, adding an established pitcher like Keuchel could make them the team to beat in the Central.
❚ Twins: They have the best record in the AL through Monday. Still, you have to wonder whether Jake Odorizzi’s dominance (1.96 ERA in 12 starts) is sustainable and whether Michael Pineda (5.34 ERA) will be able to turn things around. Keuchel comes with no question marks.