MLB Rumors: Keuchel Losing Suitors, Where Do Braves Stand?

The Major League Baseball (MLB) free agency market has gone quiet since all the hype and excitement ended after Bryce Harper – the most sought after free agent this offseason – made his decision to sign a 13-year $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Feb. 28.

Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel were two other free agents sparsely spoken about during the Harper, Manny Machado euphoria and they still remain unsigned with many expecting teams to make a move following the conclusion of the two big deals of the winter.

But it has been anything but a scramble for the signatures of Kimbrel and Keuchel. The former at least has generated concrete interest from a few teams with reports claiming that the Washington Nationals have held talks with the player and are now considered favorites to land the pitcher.

Keuchel, on the other hand, has seen his market go stagnant with ESPN’s Buster Olney reporting that his former team Houston Astros have not made an effort to re-sign him in recent weeks, while the Phillies are said to be interested but only on a short-term deal. The latter is likely to take their time after only recently committing to a record deal for Harper.

The Atlanta Braves have been hit with injuries to two of their pitchers with Mike Foltynewicz and Kevin Gausman dealing with minor elbow and shoulder injuries respectively. The former’s injury was recent as he was initially expected to start the Braves’ 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

However, despite the double injury concern, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports that the Atlanta franchise has not deemed them serious enough for them to consider making a move for Keuchel. The 2015 Cy Young winner is running out of suitors despite claims that he will help any team’s rotation.

The Minnesota Twins are said to have been in contact with the free agent pitcher’s agent, but according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, they are unlikely to sign Keuchel unless he suddenly agrees to accept a short-term deal. They are said to be concerned about the 2017 World Series winner's recent decline and his injury struggles during the 2016 season.

Moreover, since the Astros had made a qualifying offer for Keuchel, any team that signs him this offseason will lose a draft pick and the report claims that it has certainly played a role in teams’ decision to sign the pitcher.

Neal III confirmed that the Twins did look at their options but have now decided not to sign Keuchel and when it comes to Kimbrel, he thinks there is less chance of the Minnesota franchise signing the seven-time All-Star.