Philadelphia Phillies: Trade Deadline Deal Could Give Phils Dallas Keuchel
The Philadelphia Phillies made a few bold moves this offseason with the additions of Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana. While each player will be expected to add to the Phillies’ rebuild, the team is already looking toward the 2019 season. According to Tim Boyle of Call To The Pen, the Phillies should go after Dallas Keuchel in 2019.
Boyle points out that after the Houston Astros signed Jose Altuve to his new deal, the Astros may not have enough to re-sign Keuchel next season. If that’s the case, the Phillies adding Dallas Keuchel to a rotation that already includes Arrieta and Aaron Nola would give the Phillies three good arms for 2019. But, Boyle doesn’t stop there. He also says that if plans were to fall through on any Keuchel deal, there’s still a possibility the Phillies could go after Lance Lynn of the Minnesota Twins or Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals.
In 2017, Kuechel finished the season 14-5 with 125 strikeouts in 145.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.90 in 23 starts. With Kuechel being a lefty, this would bode well for the Phillies who are short on that order. What the Phillies must concern themselves with in regards to Dallas Keuchel is that he’s only started 30+ games once during his career.
Is Dallas Keuchel The Missing Link For the Phillies?
This season has been a horrible nightmare for the lefty. Through seven starts, Keuchel sit was a 1-5 record and an ERA of 3.98. If he continues this pace, it’s fair to say that the Astros may sit him with and to move Keuchel by the trade deadline. A move like this puts the Phillies in a great spot. If the Phillies continue their winning ways, they would enter the deadline as buyers and the price tag for Keuchel will not be high. Despite his recent struggles, pairing Dallas Keuchel with Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola would give the Philadelphia Phillies a dominating rotation as they fight for a playoff spot in the National League.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
