MLB rumors: 2 teams that should take a chance on Dallas Keuchel

The Chicago White Sox have designated Dallas Keuchel for assignment and these two teams should get involved in any MLB rumors to sign him once he is released.

The Chicago White Sox slid a pink slip into Dallas Keuchel’s locker on Saturday when they decided enough was enough. The veteran lefty was designated for assignment following a 2-5 start to the season complete with an ugly 7.88 ERA. The next phase is for MLB rumors to emerge about where he could pitch next.

The 2015 American League Cy Young winner has had a ton of rotten luck over the years. In 2019, he famously had to wait until after the MLB Draft to finally sign a deal with the Atlanta Braves. The following year, now with the White Sox, he managed to go 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts. It was a fine start to his tenure in Chicago which has now ended prematurely.

Now in DFA limbo and very likely to pass through waivers because of his hefty contract, the next step would be for the White Sox to either trade or release him. A trade is probably not on the way because of his contract worth $18 million this year with a $1.5 million buyout for 2023. Given this, he’s probably heading to free agency and these two clubs should probably take a chance on him.

MLB rumors: Two teams we should expect to take a chance on Dallas Keuchel

Two National League clubs competing this year but lurking around MLB rumors involving starting pitchers are the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals. Each looks poised to fight for a playoff spot with the Mets currently leading the National League East and the Cardinals holding steady in the National League Central but behind the Milwaukee Brewers.

Both clubs have good yet battered starting rotations.

MLB rumors: Why the Mets should take a chance on Dallas Keuchel

The Mets are currently without Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill while handing starts to Tylor Megill, David Peterson, and Thomas Szapucki.

They are in some immediate need for starting pitcher relief which makes Keuchel an intriguing option to try. As bad as he was with the White Sox this year, he’s a guy that might still be able to give them more than their other options. They have pretty much exhausted their starting pitching depth and may need to reach outside of the organization for help.

If signed as a free agent to a league-minimum deal, they have little to lose. He can simply be designated for assignment all over again without putting a large dent in the payroll. In Steve Cohen dollars, anything the Mets would lose by releasing Keuchel is probably what he pays for lunch.

MLB rumors: Why the Cardinals should take a chance on Dallas Keuchel

The Cardinals are shorthanded, too. They have Jack Flaherty, Jordan Hicks, and Steven Matz on their IL. They’ve responded by handing Matthew Liberatore an opportunity although his debut didn’t go so well with 4 earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.

A temporary option, the Cardinals would ask from him would be to keep them in games. Rather than run down the relief corps with a bullpen game every fifth day, seeing if Keuchel can get them through their current injury strain is something to heavily consider.

St. Louis is chasing the Brewers in the standings and are facing a great challenge with what is essentially a three-man rotation plus whoever else is available. Unless Keuchel brings with him healing powers, he won’t give the Cardinals exactly what they need. However, he can save them from more blowouts and appearances from their more elderly position players throwing the final pitches.