UPDATE: Dallas Keuchel has been called up by the Twins
Dallas Keuchel opted out of his deal with the Minnesota Twins and is able to sign anywhere he pleases as a free agent, but the pathway to the pitcher’s mound in Minnesota still appears to be open.
Keuchel’s wife, MLB Network host Kelly Nash, used the words “however this plays out with the Twins” when expressing gratitude to Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey for giving the pitcher a chance.
However this plays out with the Twins, we’ve loved every minute in Minnesota. Derek Falvey believed in Dallas and gave him an unbelievable opportunity to get back in the game that he loves. Grateful is the biggest understatement of our year.
— Kelly Nash (@KellyNash) August 3, 2023
Keuchel remains unsigned after posting a 1.13 ERA in six starts with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints and even though he’s reportedly opted out of his deal, would the Twins sign him to replace Joe Ryan in the starting rotation? Or at least give him a break?
Ryan served up four homers in Minnesota’s 7-3 loss to the Cardinals Wednesday night and the young right-hander has been hammered by opposing batters in his seven starts since pitching a complete game shutout against Boston on June 22.
- June 27 vs. Braves: 3 innings, 9 hits, 6 runs, 5 homers
- July 3 vs. Royals: 6 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 homer
- July 9 vs. Orioles: 4.1 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 homers
- July 16 vs. Athletics: 5.1 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 homer
- July 21 vs. White Sox: 6 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 homers
- July 26 vs. Mariners: 3.2 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 homers
- Aug. 3 vs. Cardinals: 4 innings, 9 hits, 7 runs, 4 homers
That’s 17 homers allowed in seven starts since his shutout, which actually breaks the Twins’ all-time record for homers allowed in a seven-game span. Bert Blyleven allowed 15 homers in seven-game stretches in both 1986 and 1987 and Carlos Silva gave up 15 homers in a seven-game span in 2006.
Keuchel’s ability, however, to still get MLB hitters out at a consistent level is the question the Twins and other teams have to answer. And can he do so better than Ryan, who despite owning an 8.63 ERA in his last seven outings has also struck out 52 batters in just 32.1 innings.
Keuchel won the AL Cy Young award with the Astros in 2015 and in the COVID-shortened 2020 season he was fifth in Cy Young voting after posting a 1.99 ERA with the White Sox in 11 starts. But his numbers since then have tumbled. The left-hander owned a 5.28 ERA with the White Sox in 2021 followed by a 9.20 ERA while bouncing around between Chicago, Arizona and Texas for 14 starts in 2022.
