Yankees Reportedly Favorites to Sign Dallas Keuchel With Braves Chasing Behind

At long last, it appears that former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel will finally find himself employed again.

According to MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand, the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves are the two favorites to land the services of the 31-year-old left-hander. At the moment, Feinsand reports that the two clubs are both currently in the same ballpark in terms of their offers to Keuchel.

As of last week, the list of teams reportedly shopping for Dallas was as big as six -- the Rays, Twins, Brewers, and Cardinals (along with New York and Atlanta). We know that Keuchel wants to sign for a contender and each one of those clubs represent that label, but the Braves and Yanks, we presume, appeared to have offered him the most money.

And some of Feinsand's sources are willing to tab the Bronx Bombers as the team in true pole position.

And the news that Keuchel would be willing to shave his lucrative beard to play in the Bronx should absolutely excite the Pinstripe faithful, too.

Keuchel has had a longer than expected extended stay in free agency after registering a 12-11 record and a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts with the Houston Astros last season. He struck out 153 batters and walked 58 in 204.2 innings on the mound.

But we're almost there, folks. We really are almost there.