Jeff Passan of ESPN reports the Chicago White Sox have signed free agent LHP Dallas Keuchel. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reports it will be a three-year deal worth between $54 – $56 million.
The Keuchel signing comes after the White Sox have struck out in their previous attempts to add a front line starter to join a rotation that already has Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech.
Notably, the White Sox had offered the biggest contract to Zack Wheeler, but Wheeler instead opted to sign with the Phillies who are located closer to his wife’s family.
For Keuchel, he is signing much earlier than he had done last year. Heading into the 2019 season, Keuchel had faced a depressed market due to a number of circumstances including the Houston Astros having offered him the qualifying offer.
Keuchel signed with the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves on June 7, which was days after the MLB Draft. He made 19 starts going 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.367 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9, and a 7.3 K/9.
Three of those 19 starts would come against the New York Mets. In those games, Keuchel was 1-0 allowing four earned in 18.0 innings walking two and striking out nine.
