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Braves Sign Dallas 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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The Braves open up their purse strings for a much needed piece in Dallas Keuchel. The starter has been signed on a one-year deal to join the Atlanta Braves after a long, turbulent offseason.

Dallas Keuchel was the last name on the market, after Craig Kimbrel signed with the Cubs on Wedensday, but after a long offseason, Keuchel will be joining the Braves on a one-year 13 million dollar deal. The deal gets Keuchel paid, and the chance to pitch for a contender down the stretch. It’s a good deal for the Braves, too, who get the starting pitching help the team needed badly and only have to commit for the rest of this season.

Dallas Keuchel had a decent 2018, after coming off an injury plagued season in 2017. Keuchel went 12-11 in 34 starts, the most of his career. Keuchel was able to rack up over 200 innings with a 3.74 ERA. At age 31, it’s possible the Braves are getting him on the back end of his prime, but Keuchel still provides a more viable option than some of what the Braves have in their rotation at the moment. Dallas Keuchel will start his season in Gwinett in AAA, on Saturday.

The move for Dallas Keuchel doesn’t bode well for Kevin Gausman. Yesterday, I predicted Gausman wasn’t likely to make his next start, and with the Keuchel news, that is all but confirmed. Keuchel not being ready for his first start is the only way I see Gausman getting one more start from the Braves. I don’t think that is likely. More than likely, we will see Gausman try to be utilized in the bullpen while the Braves still have a need for arms.

The Braves are still in second place in the NL East, behind the Phillies, two games back. Atlanta will be in Miami for a three-game set with the Marlins. With the Marlins sitting in the basement of the NL East, the Braves have a chance to close some ground with the Phillies. Mike Soroka will go in the opener tonight.

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