MLB Rumors: Dallas Keuchel Linked To Mets, Padres, Brewers, Craig Kimbrel In Touch With Same Teams

Dallas Keuchel Houston Astros — Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on September 19, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Bob Levey/Getty Images

One weekend of the 2019 MLB season is in the books, and two of the best free agent pitchers remain unsigned. Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel are still looking for jobs, though a few teams are interested in acquiring the veterans.

Ken Rosenthal reported for The Athletic Sunday that the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets have all been in touch with both Keuchel and Kimbrel. Some teams are probably just doing their due diligence, but one stands out as a real player in free agency.

According to Rosenthal, San Diego is engaging in serious discussions with Keuchel. Jon Morosi noted on MLB Network Monday that the Padres appear to be the most aggressive team when it comes to the starting pitcher.

San Diego has been trying hard to upgrade their rotation with an established starter. Rosenthal reported that the team recently had trade discussions about Cleveland Indians starter Trevor Bauer and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman. Neither of those pitchers has won a Cy Young award, which Keuchel has, and the left-hander he would bring a veteran presence to a very young San Diego rotation.

A Mets source downplayed the Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel talk, cautioning that many teams are keeping regular tabs on those two. The Mets' interest does not appear to be hot or even warm at this point, though they'll keep checking in for as long as those two remain unsigned.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 31, 2019

A source says Mets have checked in on Dallas Keuchel & Craig Kimbrel recently, as @Ken_Rosenthal & @dennistlin said, standard procedure to see if their prices have dropped as calendar turns to April.

No traction there & no serious signs Mets will sign either, the source says.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) March 31, 2019

It sounds like the Mets are a long shot to sign either Keuchel or Kimbrel. New York already potentially has one of the best rotations in baseball with reigning NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom leading the way. There are high expectations for both Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler.

The Mets upgraded the bullpen in the offseason by trading for closer Edwin Diaz and bringing back reliever Jeurys Familia. Kimbrel is more likely to join a team that needs a closer.

Milwaukee has much more of a need for Kimbrel in the wake of the news that closer Corey Knebel will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The Brewers plan to contend this season after reaching Game 7 of the NLCS in 2018. They have an early lead in the NL Central with reigning MVP Christian Yelich hitting a home run in each of the first four games to start the season.

Keuchel and Kimbrel both sought $100 million contracts this offseason.

Major league baseball