Agent Boras: Keuchel would be ready to pitch in a week
Free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel will be ready to pitch for whichever team signs him within about a week of making a deal, his agent said.
MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi reported that Scott Boras told him on Thursday that Keuchel has pitched simulated games every five days for the past several weeks to be ready.
One of the best pitchers available entering free agency in November 2018, Keuchel remains out of the league seven months later.
That likely will change soon as interested teams won't be forced to part with draft-pick compensation once the MLB draft begins on Monday, June 3.
Keuchel rejected a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer last fall from the Houston Astros and had been seeking a multiyear deal, but now reportedly is willing to accept a one-year prorated deal.
Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner, compiled a 76-63 record in seven seasons with the Astros. He pitched in 192 games (183 starts) and has a lifetime 3.66 ERA with 945 strikeouts in 1,189 1/3 innings.
His fellow free agent, closer Craig Kimbrel, also is expected to draw more interest once the deadline for draft-pick compensation passes.
--Field Level Media
