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Ruzious wrote:They finally did something! One reason I hadn't thought of that this is an important move... Soroka and Fried might end up on an innings restriction - because they're not used to pitching a lot of innings. A workhorse like Keuchel is almost a necessity - especially with our questionable bullpen.

Honestly, I think the team got in a rut because they didn't see management even caring. Now that they've finally done something, that should give the team an emotional boost.

Dallas Keuchel Signs With the Braves, and the Nightmare MLB Offseason Is Finally Over

Atlanta agreed to terms with the 2015 Cy Young winner, the last big free agent on the market. How will Keuchel change the race for the National League pennant?



The Atlanta Braves agreed to terms with the last big remaining free agent, left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel, reportedly signing him to a one-year contract for about $20 million. Prorated for the remaining time left in the season, it comes to about $13 million.

Keuchel, a Scott Boras client, won’t get the long-term, nine-figure deal he originally sought, but will get another crack at free agency next offseason at age 32.

New York was reportedly willing to give Keuchel $17.9 million, or $11.5 million when prorated over the remaining 60-odd percent of the season. By rejecting that offer and signing with Atlanta, Keuchel not only made himself an extra $1.5 million, but also ensured that he’ll get to keep his signature beard.

For that $13 million, the Braves add a reliable, playoff-tested starting pitcher to a rotation that’s long on talent but short on durability and experience. Atlanta’s pool of potential starting pitchers is outrageously talented, but extremely green.

Keuchel is the diametric opposite of the archetypal Braves pitcher, a 31-year-old lefty who has impeccable command and a track record of performing well under pressure. He isn’t the ace he was during his award-winning 2015 campaign, but since then he’s averaged 173 innings and 28 starts per year...

...the Braves aren’t signing Keuchel and expecting him to be the dynamic leader of their rotation. The Braves are signing Keuchel because they need a steady hand to plug into the lineup once every five days without causing drama, and hands don’t come much steadier than the former Arkansas Razorback.

Adding Keuchel, it must be noted, comes with the bonus benefit of keeping him away from other NL contenders, namely the Phillies and Cardinals. The big question for the Braves now is whether adding Keuchel in June will be enough, or if they’ll come to wish that they had him since Opening Day.

Jamaaliver wrote:

Dallas Keuchel Signs With the Braves, and the Nightmare MLB Offseason Is Finally Over

Atlanta agreed to terms with the 2015 Cy Young winner, the last big free agent on the market. How will Keuchel change the race for the National League pennant?



The Atlanta Braves agreed to terms with the last big remaining free agent, left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel, reportedly signing him to a one-year contract for about $20 million. Prorated for the remaining time left in the season, it comes to about $13 million.

Keuchel, a Scott Boras client, won’t get the long-term, nine-figure deal he originally sought, but will get another crack at free agency next offseason at age 32.

New York was reportedly willing to give Keuchel $17.9 million, or $11.5 million when prorated over the remaining 60-odd percent of the season. By rejecting that offer and signing with Atlanta, Keuchel not only made himself an extra $1.5 million, but also ensured that he’ll get to keep his signature beard.

For that $13 million, the Braves add a reliable, playoff-tested starting pitcher to a rotation that’s long on talent but short on durability and experience. Atlanta’s pool of potential starting pitchers is outrageously talented, but extremely green.

Keuchel is the diametric opposite of the archetypal Braves pitcher, a 31-year-old lefty who has impeccable command and a track record of performing well under pressure. He isn’t the ace he was during his award-winning 2015 campaign, but since then he’s averaged 173 innings and 28 starts per year...

...the Braves aren’t signing Keuchel and expecting him to be the dynamic leader of their rotation. The Braves are signing Keuchel because they need a steady hand to plug into the lineup once every five days without causing drama, and hands don’t come much steadier than the former Arkansas Razorback.

Adding Keuchel, it must be noted, comes with the bonus benefit of keeping him away from other NL contenders, namely the Phillies and Cardinals. The big question for the Braves now is whether adding Keuchel in June will be enough, or if they’ll come to wish that they had him since Opening Day.

The Ringer

Ruzious wrote:That question is even bigger because a lot of people in the know say the Braves basically threw away their 2nd round pick, and the reason they waited so long to sign Keuchell was because they didn't want to lose that pick. The draft expert that I follow called the Braves draft indefensible - in large part because of that pick.

Ruzious wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote:

Dallas Keuchel Signs With the Braves, and the Nightmare MLB Offseason Is Finally Over

Atlanta agreed to terms with the 2015 Cy Young winner, the last big free agent on the market. How will Keuchel change the race for the National League pennant?



The Atlanta Braves agreed to terms with the last big remaining free agent, left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel, reportedly signing him to a one-year contract for about $20 million. Prorated for the remaining time left in the season, it comes to about $13 million.

Keuchel, a Scott Boras client, won’t get the long-term, nine-figure deal he originally sought, but will get another crack at free agency next offseason at age 32.

New York was reportedly willing to give Keuchel $17.9 million, or $11.5 million when prorated over the remaining 60-odd percent of the season. By rejecting that offer and signing with Atlanta, Keuchel not only made himself an extra $1.5 million, but also ensured that he’ll get to keep his signature beard.

For that $13 million, the Braves add a reliable, playoff-tested starting pitcher to a rotation that’s long on talent but short on durability and experience. Atlanta’s pool of potential starting pitchers is outrageously talented, but extremely green.

Keuchel is the diametric opposite of the archetypal Braves pitcher, a 31-year-old lefty who has impeccable command and a track record of performing well under pressure. He isn’t the ace he was during his award-winning 2015 campaign, but since then he’s averaged 173 innings and 28 starts per year...

...the Braves aren’t signing Keuchel and expecting him to be the dynamic leader of their rotation. The Braves are signing Keuchel because they need a steady hand to plug into the lineup once every five days without causing drama, and hands don’t come much steadier than the former Arkansas Razorback.

Adding Keuchel, it must be noted, comes with the bonus benefit of keeping him away from other NL contenders, namely the Phillies and Cardinals. The big question for the Braves now is whether adding Keuchel in June will be enough, or if they’ll come to wish that they had him since Opening Day.

The Ringer

That question is even bigger because a lot of people in the know say the Braves basically threw away their 2nd round pick, and the reason they waited so long to sign Keuchell was because they didn't want to lose that pick. The draft expert that I follow called the Braves draft indefensible - in large part because of that pick.

Schultz: Dallas Keuchel signing is an overdue and welcome move by the Braves

It happened six months after it probably should have. It happened after other pitchers had been signed or traded in the winter. It happened after two Braves starters saw their ERAs mutate to above 6.00 … after another starter was demoted to Gwinnett and later relegated to middle relief … after it became clear the only starter they might be able to count on in a pennant race is 21 years old.

But it happened. It’s like an Atlanta sports Biblical miracle.

Dallas Keuchel is a Brave.

This is an investment the Braves will want to be careful with. They’ll take their time, notwithstanding that it took way too much before management and ownership finally acknowledged what everybody already knew: This team needed help.

The Braves have a lineup as good as any in baseball. Now they have a starting pitcher others can look to as a proven winner. That goes a long way in a locker room.

Like other free agents this past winter, Keuchel had unrealistic expectations for free agency in baseball’s changing economy. Keuchel appeared destined for the New York Yankees or another more aggressive or free-spending team than the Braves. But general manager Alex Anthopoulos apparently had seen enough. It’s about time.

It took a while. But at least something finally happened.

Nemesis21 wrote:

Ruzious wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote: The Ringer

That question is even bigger because a lot of people in the know say the Braves basically threw away their 2nd round pick, and the reason they waited so long to sign Keuchell was because they didn't want to lose that pick. The draft expert that I follow called the Braves draft indefensible - in large part because of that pick.

Second round pick or the second 1st round pick, 21? If you mean 21, Brennan Malone should have been that pick!