Yankees Rumors: Dallas Keuchel Wants To Play In New York, Max Scherzer Would Cost NYY 'A Fortune'

Several teams are pursuing Dallas Keuchel now that he’s no longer attached to draft compensation, but one landing spot makes the most sense. The New York Yankees are considered to be the favorites for MLB’s best free-agent starting pitcher, and it might only be a matter of time before they come to an agreement.

The Yankees are hoping to add Keuchel to the rotation, which is the weakest part of the team. Most importantly, it sounds like Keuchel really wants to play in New York.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand told WFAN’s “Joe and Evan” the Yankees are Keuchel’s top choice. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman echoed a similar sentiment in the offseason, noting on multiple occasions that Keuchel wanted to play on a big stage like New York City.

The Yankees weren’t an option for Keuchel when the veteran was reportedly seeking a six or seven-year contract worth at least $25 million per season in the winter. Now that the 2015 AL Cy Young winner is likely willing to take a deal that expires at the end of the 2019 season, an agreement is much more possible.

New York can certainly afford to pay Keuchel for the remainder of the season. They don’t have to give up any prospects like they would in order to acquire a pitcher like Madison Bumgarner.

The two sides still seem to be apart on money. Keuchel reportedly is seeking a prorated version of the $17.9 million qualifying offer he turned down from the Houston Astros. That would mean signing for close to $12 million for the final four months of the season. The Yankees might be hoping to sign him for a little less than that number.

Keuchel has other options. The St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays have all been linked to the pitcher.

There have been rumors that the Yankees could also trade for a starting pitcher. Bumgarner and a few Toronto Blue Jays’ pitchers are expected to be dealt, though some have wondered if New York could go after Max Scherzer.

The Washington Nationals could become sellers with their postseason hopes quickly disappearing. That probably wouldn’t include dealing Scherzer, whom Feinsand said on WFAN would cost the Yankees “a fortune.”

The Yankees didn’t want to give up a draft pick for Keuchel. New York would have to offer a combination of promising young MLB talent and top prospects for Washinton to even consider a deal.