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Dallas Keuchel Clears Waivers, Reaches Free Agency

By Anthony Franco | May 31, 2022 at 8:14pm CDT

Left-hander Dallas Keuchel has passed through release waivers unclaimed, reports Andy Martino of SNY. He’s now a free agent and can explore opportunities with other clubs.

This was an inevitability once the White Sox designated Keuchel for assignment over the weekend. The southpaw is still due a bit under $13MM in 2022 salary, plus a $1.5MM buyout on a 2023 club option. No team was going to claim Keuchel and assume that tab, so it was a formality that he’d clear waivers and hit free agency.

Now that he’s available on the open market, the 34-year-old would have more appeal to other clubs. The White Sox will remain on the hook for virtually all of Keuchel’s remaining guaranteed commitments. Any team that signs him would only owe him the prorated portion of the $700K minimum salary for any time he spends in the majors, which would be subtracted from Chicago’s financial outlay.

With no financial risk attached, it seems likely Keuchel will find a major league deal somewhere. Still, that the White Sox cut him loose in spite of a questionable back-of-the-rotation mix points to the extent of the struggles the 2015 AL Cy Young award winner has experienced over the past couple seasons. Signed to a three-year, $55.5MM guarantee over the 2019-20 offseason, Keuchel posted a sterling 1.99 ERA over 11 starts during the shortened 2020 season. Since the beginning of the 2021 campaign, however, he’s been among the least effective starters in the game.

Keuchel stayed healthy and made 32 appearances (30 starts) for the division-winning ChiSox last year, but his rate stats were below-average. He posted a 5.28 ERA — his first season allowing even more than four earned runs per nine since 2016 — across 162 frames. Even at his best, Keuchel has never missed many bats, but he saw his strikeout rate tumble to 13.2% last year. His 54.9% ground-ball rate was still a well above-average mark, but the two-time All-Star had induced worm burners on more than three-fifths of batted balls at his peak.

Those worrisome trends have only been exacerbated this year. Keuchel has a 7.88 ERA through eight starts, the second-highest mark among 137 pitchers with 30+ innings. He has the second-worst strikeout/walk rate differential among that same group, with matching 12.2% marks. Keuchel’s grounder rate is also down a few more points (albeit still strong), at 50.8%. That slow start led the White Sox to cut bait, although another team is likely to give him an opportunity based on his pre-2021 track record.

Keuchel, of course, was one of the game’s best pitchers between 2014-20. He posted four sub-3.00 ERA campaigns during that time as a preeminent ground-ball specialist, helping the Astros to a strong run of success. It’s unlikely he’ll return to that form at this stage of his career, but another club could still see him as a capable back-end option — particularly if he can get his grounder rate to tick back up a few points in a new environment.

The White Sox have had a top-heavy starting rotation this season, which was to be expected. Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech and Lucas Giolito have all performed well. Keuchel and offseason signee Vince Velasquez have struggled, while veteran Johnny Cueto has been effective through three starts. Bolstering the back end figures to be a trade deadline focus for general manager Rick Hahn and his staff if the team remains in contention over the coming months, particularly if Velasquez continues to scuffle while holding down the final spot.

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Chicago White Sox Transactions Dallas Keuchel

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View Comments (60)

Comments

  1. Sfgiants4l

    1 year ago

    I could see the giants taking a chance

    5
    Reply
    • 5TUNT1N

      1 year ago

      I could but remember they have Boyd coming after all star break and Desclafani coming off Il around same time. My guess he lands across the bay or it’s at least more likely.

      Reply
  2. Al Hirschen

    1 year ago

    Mets should take a flyer on him

    7
    Reply
    • Bk11235 2

      1 year ago

      Nope. We don’t need him at all. Megill back soon abs Trevor Williams is fine

      1
      Reply
      • LFGMets (Metsin7)

        1 year ago

        @Bk11235 I don’t really care that Trevor Williams went 5 scoreless tonight agaisnt the last place nationals. Hes just not very good. He gets about 2 strikeouts per start out of about 4 or 5 innings if hes lucky. The defense has been saving him. I’d rather have Keuchel over Trevor Williams because they are similar in the way that they generate ground balls except that Keuchel is just flatout better. With our defense I believe Keuchel can be a servicable fifth starter. Same price tag too

        Reply
        • Cosmo2

          1 year ago

          Williams has been much better the last year and a half though.

          2
          Reply
    • rct

      1 year ago

      If he’d be willing to try the bullpen, I could see it. But otherwise, I’m not sure the Mets would have a lot of interest. Williams, Megill, and Peterson are all better options at the back of the rotation than Keuchel.

      Reply
      • Cardsthattimeforgot

        1 year ago

        His first inning stats have been atrocious. Not sure he’d be a fit for the bullpen.

        2
        Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      1 year ago

      Why would he come to the Mets with 3 starters coming back. He’d be dropped again. Certainly would not be on a payoff roster.

      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        1 year ago

        You’re assuming he has an array of choices

        Reply
  3. sufferforsnakes

    1 year ago

    D-Backs.

    4
    Reply
  4. markg87

    1 year ago

    Lance Lynn is coming back for the Sox,, Velasquez will be in the pen. Davis Martin in AAA, no need to trade for a back end starter.

    6
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      1 year ago

      Yeah this writer didn’t do his homework. Forgot about Lynn entirely. With Cueto they have 5. And Velazquez, Lopez and Martin are options. Precisely why they jettisoned Dallas.

      1
      Reply
      • jimmyz

        1 year ago

        But typically a team needs 7 or 8 starters to make it through a whole season. They should definitely look for more depth.

        1
        Reply
  5. iBleeedBlue

    1 year ago

    This guy has Dodgers written all over him.

    3
    Reply
  6. bigfoot675

    1 year ago

    Detroit please. Wents left early tonight. Base coaches can’t even stay healthy in the D. This is getting comical.

    Reply
    • BobGibsonFan

      1 year ago

      AJ Hinch connection in Detroit…

      3
      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        1 year ago

        Yep cheated together.

        5
        Reply
    • Cosmo2

      1 year ago

      Yea I think Detroit may be the best fit

      2
      Reply
  7. Finatic

    1 year ago

    is his velo down? command issues?

    Reply
    • BobGibsonFan

      1 year ago

      Command issues. Velocity was never very good. 13 hits per 9… 5 walks per 9… and giving up homers at a career worst. Not a good combination.

      2
      Reply
  8. tazman4878

    1 year ago

    This has Cardinals written all over it. Hicks experiment should be done, plus who knows how long Matz will be out.

    5
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      1 year ago

      To the Cardinals, I sure hope so.

      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        1 year ago

        Hoping on a SP with an ERA over seven is kind of sad

        1
        Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      1 year ago

      I predict Cards. I don’t predict success.

      1
      Reply
  9. mrshyguy99

    1 year ago

    A dodgers reclaim project? They don’t need him but wouldn’t be surprised to see them sign him to see if they can get something from him

    1
    Reply
  10. mlb1225

    1 year ago

    Pleas stay away Pirates. The rotation is actually starting to take shape and while the last spot after Brubaker, Contreras, Quintana, and Thompson is a bit shaky, the team would be better off by bringing up like Cody Bolton.

    4
    Reply
    • Gwynning's Anal Lover

      1 year ago

      Dallas would be perfect here, but I could see him joining the Yankees, Red Sox, or Mets.

      1
      Reply
      • YEP

        1 year ago

        I think Red Sox myself. I don’t see him shaving to play with the Yankees. He goes to Pawtucket and gets it together. Comes up in August and helps Red Sox clinch a wild card.

        Reply
        • Michael Macaulay-Birks

          1 year ago

          Worcester Massachusetts is AAA, left Pawtucket two years ago thanks to Larry Lucchino

          Reply
        • YEP

          1 year ago

          Thats my bad. I forgot they were the WooSox now.

          Reply
  11. 3768902

    1 year ago

    The Twins vet pitcher reclamation project could use an influx of fresh washed up talent.

    3
    Reply
  12. Arnold Ziffel

    1 year ago

    Spot in Rockies rotation

    Reply
    • hiflew

      1 year ago

      Doubtful. Senzatela is coming back. The Rox actually have one extra starter right now with Ryan Feltner pitching well and Senzatela coming back from injury, Unless they know there is a physical problem with Marquez and/or Freeland, they will probably pass.

      Reply
  13. angt222

    1 year ago

    Baltimore bound.

    6
    Reply
  14. twinky

    1 year ago

    Twins

    Reply
    • ohyeadam

      1 year ago

      No thanks. Twins are leading the division and I’d like it to stay that way

      Reply
  15. dabrewcrew

    1 year ago

    with woody and peralta down for awhile this might make a weird fit

    Reply
  16. mike127

    1 year ago

    If any of the other 29 major league teams watched the Jake Arrieta story last year—they will wisely stay away from Keuchel. Keuchel is Arrieta of last year with one exception—he’s worse.

    3
    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      1 year ago

      There’s enough desperation out there to get him a job

      2
      Reply
      • mike127

        1 year ago

        See Jake Arrieta — 2021. For that matter, see Dallas Keuchel, 2021.

        3
        Reply
  17. habs93

    1 year ago

    If he signs with Detroit, he becomes there #2 behind Skubal (a rookie). If he wants to get innings Detroit is the place to go. Tigers looking for any arms they can right now. If he does well he is flipped to a contender at the deadline…win win for both parties

    2
    Reply
    • Airo13

      1 year ago

      Skubal isnt a rookie and unless Kuechel’s issues can get fixed, he would not be the number 2. Despite the minor league depth the tigers have needed to throw out there, none of them have a 7.88 ERA…

      Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      1 year ago

      Flipped who how?

      Reply
      • Cosmo2

        1 year ago

        Yea fans always dream that the guy no one wants for free now, will provoke a bidding war later. Never works, just backwards thinking. If it were remotely possible there’d be a mini bidding war now. Yet there’s always a fan who suggests this nonsense.

        1
        Reply
    • beastee

      1 year ago

      tigers…pretty please sign him so he can face the White Sox 3-4 times.

      Reply
  18. BigMoney 2

    1 year ago

    Rangers bound….

    Reply
  19. blueblood1217

    1 year ago

    Red Sox should bring him in for a look

    Reply
  20. beastee

    1 year ago

    I am going to say this as clearly as possible: Keuchel used spider tack in 2020, hence the sterling numbers. In 2021 he started off okay…and look at the ban…then the immense drop off in control, spin rate and effectiveness. I didn’t like his arrogant attitude either…since Sox fans all figured out he was just another cheating Astro that kept pointing to his “past successes”. buyer beware – he sucks and without tack, he is not the answer.

    7
    Reply
  21. FlahertyFour

    1 year ago

    Expecting to see the Cardinals announce his signing within a few days. This is a Mo type move unfortunately.

    1
    Reply
  22. solaris602

    1 year ago

    KOOCH!!!!!!

    Reply
  23. hammertime510

    1 year ago

    The A’s, Jeffries is out and what better place would there be for a pitcher?

    Reply
  24. Rick Pernell

    1 year ago

    Yankees!!!

    This is a perfect target for Cashman. Little to No performance and Little to No impact on salary. See Joey Gallo for an example.

    Reply
  25. Old York

    1 year ago

    I’d like to say Tampa Bay but that portion of the 700K is quite steep for them.

    1
    Reply
  26. Idioms for Idiots

    1 year ago

    Stick a fork in the Sox, they are done. They may still win the sorry division they’re in, but they can’t compete with the big boys. Epic disappointment. The pitching is good, especially with Keuchel gone, but the offense is horrible. Eventually the pitching will crack because they can’t depend on the hitting to bail them out if they get into trouble.

    I’m done with the Sox this season. It’s too painful to watch them struggle this badly.

    Reply
    • nrd1138

      1 year ago

      Well like I (and Im sure others) have called them, the Chicago Stormtroopers cause they cannot hit the broad side of a barn… Its Ok though, they can saunter back to the dugout and count their gold chains or whatever….
      Pitching is already cracking too (I mean it was not really that good to begin with. . . When their pitchers get destroyed by a playoff caliber team like Toronto is (and what the Sox wish they were) ideas of winning it all are gone, heck winning the division is likely gone as the Sox can barely hit pitching in their own division
      Someone wake up LaRussa to release him back to the retirement home please.. The sad thing is this was supposed to be a team with their window to ‘win now’, but with bargain basement acquisitions and refusal to pay good players to be on this team, they have what they have had… Have no idea how the Sox front office spins this.. Im guessing they will confidently hide behind the injuries as the sole cause, and not the multitudes of other issues with this club (like a glaring lack of heart)

      Reply
      • Idioms for Idiots

        1 year ago

        I’m fine with the rotation. Giolito, Lynn, Cease, Kopech, and Cueto for a rotation–yeah, I’ll take that. If you’re talking the other scrubs (like Keuchel) and their starts, sure, they’re bad. The pen is a mess. Maybe Hendriks will come around, but it’s hard to tell since they haven’t had a late lead in a long time.

        Everything else I agree with. The offense as a whole is a joke. This was touted as one of the best offenses in baseball, but they’re one of the worst. I could buy the slow start in April, but it’s 50 games into the season. There’s no excuse for being this bad. Yes, they’ve been hit pretty hard with the injury bug, but I agree, that’s a bad and wrong excuse to use for this team. Lack of heart is a much better excuse–actually it’s spot on.

        I feel like we as fans have been duped this year. If I knew the Sox were going to be this bad, I would’ve rooted for the lockout to last until July.

        Reply
        • nrd1138

          1 year ago

          I was not duped. Hahn did nothing this season to fix the lack of heart or to bring in the type of players to sign to ‘win it all.’ Sad thing is I, and others, saw something like this coming.. Though not this bad (more like same as last season, beat up the bad and average teams, but could not stand with the big boys); This is abhorrent. As for the ‘injury bug’: Its not surprising sadly, and is also a reoccurring theme with this club for the past 3 seasons now. To me its a major indictment of the heart of the player (to ensure they are in peak physical condition) and a witless conditioning staff.. I get fluke injuries happen (twist a knee wrong, get hit with a pitch, step no a base wrong-though not sure how you do that as a major league player-, etc), but when you have the same guys getting injured with soft tissue injuries (like hamstrings, groin, lat and ab injuries) there is a conditioning issue and a lack of dedication of the player to ensure they are staying in good condition. When these things are not happening (clearly) then its on the player and conditioning staff in place. The pitching on paper (at least the rotation) is great, but when an ‘Ace’ (like Gio is supposed to be) have multiple games in a season where he gives up more than 4 runs in a game, sorry, that’s not ‘ace’ material, especially when he gets lit up by a good team and Cease losing the strike zone is telling (though only giving up the handful of run he did against the Rays despite all of those walks shows me something about his character). Heck even Kopech is falling to the level of the other pitchers and he is a guy who I can see as a legit Ace once he gets another season under his belt, but I worry about the job Katz has not done this season more than what has been done in the past. Aces find ways to win, and not give up many a run in doing so. I hazard to say the Sox only ‘Ace’ is still currently on the DL, and here is to hoping he does not have a setback.. At least if he pitches well the Sox have something to trade to ‘retool on the fly’ (I’m sure that’s what Hahn will say)

          Reply
  27. nrd1138

    1 year ago

    Just saw Padres dumped Cano…
    Former All Star? Check
    Was good like 5-10 years ago? Check
    Would not be surprised if the White Sox give him outlandish money to come be bad for the White Sox… If they hurry, they can give up a future All star for him too!

    Reply
    • Idioms for Idiots

      1 year ago

      Don’t give Hahn any ideas.

      Reply

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