Braves Interested in Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel After MLB Draft
By Seth Carlson
Add the Atlanta Braves to the never-ending rumor mill of teams demonstrating interest in adding free agents Dallas Keuchel and Craig KImbrel. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the interest is conditional.
Alex Anthopoulus #Braves GM just made it clear to us that they have real interest in both Kimbrel and Keuchel and are doing their homework on them…obviously they’re interest is without giving up the draft pick and are definitely a team to watch esp w/ Kimbrel….after the draft
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) May 26, 2019
The Braves claim they are legitimately interested in acquiring both free agents if they are allowed to retain their highest pick in this year's draft in June.
Other teams have also expressed interest in Kimbrel and Keuchel in the same manner as the Braves, meaning the two veteran pitchers will likely have to wait until after June to sign when their attached draft pick compensation expires.
Braves Interested In Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel https://t.co/T99ZTTD4tf pic.twitter.com/O5VhU80EiE
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 26, 2019
Keuchel and Kimbrel have something that is coveted by many teams: experience pitching and succeeding on the biggest stage in the game. Keuchel pitched for the Astros in the 2017 World Series and Kimbrel for the Red Sox in the 2018 World Series, both having some level of success when it mattered most.
The Astros and Red Sox won those respective titles, adding championship pedigree to both players' resumes. Not to mention Kimbrel is the active saves leader and Keuchel is a former Cy Young winner from 2015.
Either would be an appropriate addition to the Braves roster.