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Braves In Talks With Kimbrel and Keuchel

By Deke Lloyd

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros watches a fly ball hit by Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox (not pictured) in the third inning during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros watches a fly ball hit by Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox (not pictured) in the third inning during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Now the MLB Draft is underway, the draft compensation attached to Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, the reported deterrent to the two pitchers not signing to this point, has been removed. It’s being reported the Braves and Yankees are Keuchel’s likely landing spots, while Kimbrel has been attached to the Braves, too. Yet, the two pitchers still remained unsigned. What does it all mean?

Dallas Keuchel was a big story in the news cycle yesterday. Mark Feinsand, of MLB.com, reported that the Braves and Yankees are the favorites to land Keuchel’s services, but the Yankees had emerged as the true favorite for the free agent pitcher. However, as the day went along, no more news broke about Keuchel finding a landing spot. That means there’s still hope for the Braves to land Dallas Keuchel.

Craig Kimbrel has stayed out the news cycle yesterday when the Dallas Keuchel news was hot and heavy. Kimbrel is being reported to pretty much any team with bullpen troubles. So far, the Mets, Phillies, Braves, Red Sox, Twins have been reported as interested, but no word has broken about where Kimbrel will sign. As of today, the Braves have to be considered the front-runner for Kimbrel’s services. The hometown storyline and Braves dire need of a closer are just a couple of reasons why people are assuming Kimbrel will, eventually, find his way back to Atlanta. Let’s hope the chatter is right.

Jon Heyman, of the MLB Network, on Dukes and Bell, said the Braves are in contact with both players, but are unlikely to sign both. This makes sense for the reason that both pitchers are getting older, and the Braves don’t want to commit to pitchers with so many miles on the odometer. If the Braves had their choice, I think the team would jump at the chance on signing Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel would provide immediate help to an area of the team that has been less than good on the season. The same can be said for Dallas Keuchel, too.

The Braves starting rotation has been decent this season. Currently, the Braves have the 14th best ERA in all of baseball at 4.25. Right in the middle of the road. And the only reason the Braves are there is for the stellar performances of Mike Soroka and Max Fried, two very young pitchers. The Braves older guys, Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman, Julio Teheran, have been average, if not bad at times. Folty and Gausman are both sitting with ERAs over 5 at this point of the season. Signing Keuchel to solidify this rotation is something the Braves should be very interested in. Keuchel may not be the savior, but he could be better than what the Braves are getting now.

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