Atlanta Braves Officially Sign Dallas Keuchel

The Atlanta Braves have made the addition of Dallas Keuchel official finally giving the team a true frontline starter. Dallas has postseason experience and has pitched like an ace at times in his career.

Dallas Keuchel is a great addition for the Atlanta Braves considering what he is capable of bringing to the roster.  He is an innings eater who is going to give the team quality starts and the ability to rest the bullpen.

Last season he finished with a 3.74 ERA and over 200-innings pitched. He isn’t going to dominate every time out as some fans will expect, but he will pitch quality games and eat innings saving the Braves pen and young arms.

Adding Keuchel to the Braves roster is an interesting wrinkle one giving them a legitimate postseason chance with the right trade deadline moves.

The offense hasn’t been the problem for Atlanta, it has been their inability to pitch. Adding Dallas to the rotation makes the team much deeper and leaves only the bullpen to address. If the team was able to add a quality reliever or two before July’s trade deadline suddenly the Braves are true contenders.

Even now with the bullpen and part of the rotation struggling Atlanta is only 2.0 games back from the NL East-leading  Phillies.

Dallas will likely slot into the rotation replacing Kevin Gausman or Mike Foltynewicz both of whom have struggled badly so far this season.  Leaving the Braves the option to add another starter if the opportunity were to present itself before the deadline.

The Braves are hopeful they will be able to fast track Dallas and he can join the big league roster within a couple of weeks. He will make his first start in the minor leagues this weekend for Gwinnett.

The timing of the move worked out perfectly for Atlanta who dropped a series to the Pirates and needed a shot in the arm.  More to come as the trade deadline nears.