The New York Yankees rumor that has Dallas Keuchel Bronx bound just hit its high mark thanks to WFAN’s Jon Heyman.
In an interesting spot with WFAN’s “Joe & Even” on Thursday, MLB insider Jon Heyman proclaimed that the New York Yankees are the favorites to land free agent southpaw Dallas Keuchel.
“I think the Yankees will be there for Keuchel,” said Heyman, as translated by WFAN’s official site. “I think at this point there’s not a bad chance that the Yankees end up with Keuchel. Keuchel, from what I understand, would love to be in a big market, and the suitors for the most part to this point have not been of that ilk … if I had to pick one team out of the 30 right now, I would go with the Yankees.”
Keuchel, 31, remains dangling on the market after he and his hometown Houston Astros could agree on a long-term deal.
In seven campaigns with the Astros, Keuchel’s 3.66 ERA, 1.250 WHIP and 7.2 K/9 ratio helped lead to two AL All-Star nods and the 2015 AL Cy Young award.
Although Heyman singled out the Bombers as his landing-spot choice, he does mention a specific timetable. Expect MLB Entry Draft time as the best Keuchel to the Yankees window.
“I think at this point we’re looking at most likely draft day, which is when that draft pick compensation goes away, it’s no longer a hinderance in their free agency. I think they will, maybe on that very day.”
With Luis Severino out until after the All-Star break and James Paxton now on the shelf, Dallas Keuchel does make sense despite Domingo German pitching at a high level.
German and the New York Yankees begin a three-game set against the Rays in Tampa on Friday night. First pitch comes your way at 7:10 p.m. ET.