Yankees and Rays Appear to Be in Lead for Dallas Keuchel After June 2 Deadline Passes
By Sean Facey
As the June 2 deadline when Dallas Keuchel's attached draft pick compensation expires, two AL East foes have seem to have emerged as front runners.
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays both appear to be the top suitors for the former AL Cy Young winner's services.
#Rays “staying in touch” with Dallas Keuchel, per @Ken_Rosenthal, while #Yankees “remain interested” in him. https://t.co/o0cAkfrGTw
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) May 25, 2019
Keuchel remains unsigned well into the season despite a strong campaign last year in which he posted a 3.74 ERA and struck out 153 batters, a step back from his Cy Young form.
The Yankees could certainly use another rotation arm. Their starting staff has been decimated by injuries, and Keuchel could at least provide them with some stability.
The Rays, who already boast a league-low 2.99 team ERA, would much appreciate Keuchel's ability to alleviate the pressure on the bullpen. The Rays only have three true starters on the team and have given the bullpen a large workload.
#Rays among teams looking at Keuchel, still in touch with Kimbrel as well. Story with @JCTSports: https://t.co/eiWMHuRxgM $
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 25, 2019
Adding another starter, especially one of his quality, could help preserve the bullpen for October.
Both teams have plenty of reason to sign him, so the only question that remains is who will come out on top.