Dallas Keuchel, who was easily a top-five pitcher on the free agent market, still doesn't have a job for the upcoming season. This has come as a bit of a surprise as, every year, there are teams in need of pitching and many teams have passed on the former Cy Young winner opting for pitchers that are tiers below him. Here is Keuchel's career accomplishments and potential fits for Keuchel.

Resume

Keuchel was the best pitcher in the American League in 2015 where he led the Astros to a surprising playoff berth. That season, he went 20-8 with a 2.48 E.R.A.

Keuchel has been in the big leagues for seven seasons and in three of those seasons, he has posted a sub 3.00 E.R.A. ('14, '15 and '17). Also, he has eclipsed the 200+ inning mark in three of those seasons as well ('14, '15 and '18). Keuchel has also made two all-star appearances ('15 and '17) and has won four Gold Glove awards ('14, '15, '16 and '18).

Best fits

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels is a team that has playoff aspirations but they have a weak rotation that is in need of improvements if they hope to make the playoffs. They have already brought in two pitchers this offseason in Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill but they still lack a true number one starter which is something they have been looking for in the past few seasons.

Keuchel is by no means an ace but he would be the best starter the Angels have had in a while. Another thing that might benefit the Angels is the fact that Keuchel has the ability to stay healthy and pitch 200+ innings which is something that the Angels have struggled to find in their starters. Last season, not one of their starting pitchers pitched more than 150 innings.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins have a real shot at taking the division away from the Indians but if they're serious about doing so, they need starting pitching help. Their rotation is currently led by Jose Berrios who's a fantastic pitcher but after him is where the quality of their starting pitching significantly drops. Keuchel would easily slot into the number two spot in the Twins rotation and he would really have a chance to do well in the light hitting AL Central.

Houston Astros

Last season, the Astros rotation was an area of strength but right now, the Astros rotation is something that the World Series hopefuls could look to improve. Their first two spots are set with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole but after them is where it drops off as Keuchel, who was their number three pitcher last season, is a free agent, McCullers underwent Tommy John surgery which will sideline him for the season and Josh James has a quadriceps injury which took him out of consideration for a rotation spot. If the Astros were to re-sign Keuchel, like last year, he would be their number three pitcher.

Milwaukee Brewers

The reigning NL Central champions have a very weak rotation that lacks a clear number one starter.

They also lost their best pitcher from last season in Wade Miley who signed with the Astros this offseason. With all teams in the NL Central competing for a playoff spot including the Reds, the Brewers need to add to their pitching staff to keep up with their division. If the Brewers were to sign Keuchel, he would be their best pitcher and just signing Keuchel wouldn't be enough as they would still need more starting pitching. They could look at signing both Keuchel and reuniting with Gio Gonzalez.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED