Yankees Rumors: Dallas Keuchel wants to pitch for Yanks

According to multiple reports, free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel would like to pitch for the Yankees. However, with Scott Boras as his agent, the Yanks may not match his desired asking price.

As we enter the final day of the MLB Draft — and the threat of losing a compensatory pick no longer applicable, the possibility of a Dallas Keuchel signing is becoming increasingly likely. However, will it be to the Yankees or one of the other interested clubs like the Braves, Rays, Cardinals or Twins?

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports that there is growing optimism in the Bronx that Keuchel’s top choice is to pitch in pinstripes — and that the Yanks are one of two teams  (Atlanta being the other) left for Keuchel and super-agent Scott Boras to choose between.

Whether or not general manager Brian Cashman offers a prorated one-year deal ($11.5M) which is as close to the $17.9 million qualifying offer Keuchel turned down from Houston during the offseason, may be the determining factor as to where he ends up.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweeted that Keuchel is ready to shave off his James Harden-like beard to pitch in the New York — and that eventually, the two sides will agree to a dollar amount that is suitable for at least the remainder of this season.

More from Yankees Rumors

• There’s one way Yankees can make SF Giants’ offseason even worse
• Yankees should swing trade for old enemy to fill 2023 left field vacancy
• Predicting Yankees-Diamondbacks LF trade package after Ken Rosenthal update
• Creating a Yankees-Bryan Reynolds trade package after latest Pirates update
• 3 lefty relievers Yankees can still sign without breaking the bank

A second source believes the Yankees are going to land Dallas Keuchel, and that they are emerging as the true favorites for the former Cy Young winner.What I’m hearing from people is the Yankees is where he wants to go. I just find it hard to believe that if he wants to come here and they’re interested that it won’t get done one way or another.

Despite not experiencing pain in “twenty-something days,” Luis Severino is still unsure if he’ll be able to come off the injured list following the All-Star break as previously reported.

Domingo German’s innings count is steadily rising, and a potential late-summer move to the bullpen is a real possibility — and wins continue to evade Masahiro Tanaka (one victory in last eight starts).

Masa’s four earned runs in six innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night resulted in the Yankees losing back-to-back games for the first time in over a month.

Like him or not, Keuchel, the 2015 AL Cy Young winner is proven in the Postseason and can be had without surrendering any top prospects — which as we know, is something of great importance to the Yankees decision makers.

For those that feel Cashman should forgo Keuchel, and instead, trade for the likes of Madison Bumgarner or Max Scherzer, the sheer amount of talent that would need to go in the opposite direction is prohibitive, as referenced by Feinsand when he appeared on WFAN.

“I don’t know that they can count on Severino coming back and being Severino and that’s why you need to add a starter at some point here. You also can’t count on Sabathia and Paxton to stay healthy for the next four months. There is a need for a starting pitcher and there’s not a lot of depth at the triple-A level in the rotation right now.”