FILE - Minnesota Twins’ Dallas Keuchel pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Milwaukee Brewers added some depth to their injury-riddled pitching staff Tuesday, June 25,. 2024, by acquiring 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, who has spent all of this season in the minor leagues. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
In a significant move, the Milwaukee Brewers have acquired veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel from the Seattle Mariners. The trade, which took place on Tuesday, saw the Brewers exchange cash considerations for Keuchel.
Keuchel’s Journey
Keuchel, 36, is a former AL Cy Young winner. He had signed a minor league deal with the Mariners and had made 13 Triple-A starts this year. Despite pitching in the hitter-friendly environs of the Pacific Coast League, Keuchel managed to maintain an earned run average (ERA) of 3.93. His strikeout rate of 15.6% may be considered subpar, but Keuchel has always been known for his ability to limit walks and keep the ball on the ground. This year, he maintained a walk rate of 7.6% and a ground ball rate of 59.5%.
Keuchel’s career has seen him throw 1625 2/3 innings with a 4.02 ERA, 18.1% strikeout rate, 7.4% walk rate, and 57.7% ground ball rate. He won the 2015 American League Cy Young by posting a 2.48 ERA with the Astros. However, his performance has tailed off since then, with a 6.29 ERA since the start of 2021.
Brewers’ Motivation
Injuries have decimated the Brewers’ rotation depth at a time when they decided to acquire Keuchel. Brandon Woodruff, Wade Miley, and Robert Gasser are all out for the year due to injuries, leaving the Brewers with a patchwork rotation behind Freddy Peralta.
The addition of Keuchel to the Brewers’ roster provides them with a seasoned veteran who can bring stability and experience to their pitching staff. Despite his recent struggles, Keuchel’s ability to limit walks and keep the ball on the ground could prove beneficial for the Brewers as they look to hold on to first place.
Conclusion
The trade represents a win-win situation for both teams. The Mariners were able to pocket some cash and provide Dallas Keuchel with an opportunity to pursue a new challenge with the Brewers. On the other hand, the Brewers have managed to bolster their pitching staff with a former Cy Young winner, providing them with much-needed depth and experience. It will be interesting to see how this trade impacts the Brewers’ performance for the rest of the season.
