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Houston Astros: Three reasons why Dallas Keuchel should be brought back

By Brian K. Patterson

Free agent LHP Dallas Keuchel, whom should be re-signed by the Houston Astros (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Free agent LHP Dallas Keuchel, whom should be re-signed by the Houston Astros (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros throws in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 16, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros throws in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 16, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Reason #3: The cost of Keuchel’s arm

I truly do think that Keuchel wants to return as a member of the Houston Astros.  He seems quite comfortable here and is always active in community events, particularly with the other sports franchises.  James Harden? Deshaun Watson?  You can regularly see him hanging out with those

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guys.  He’s definitely got some star power in his back pocket as well.  Plus, he doesn’t seem like a 9-to-5 guy but tends to be an active citizen in his adopted community.

With that being said, business is business and Keuchel and unfortunately, securing one’s financial future may be more important than just comfort.  In some regards, the extra money that could be thrown at him could provide that contentment alone but what about the pressure to perform in a different situation?

He doesn’t necessarily have that here because he knows he’s still a big fish in an ever-growing pond.

As I’m writing this, the Houston Astros just extended Keuchel a qualifying offer of $17.9 million for the 2019 season.

Keuchel can go three ways with this — he can accept the offer, try to hammer out a long-term deal with the Houston Astros or go into free agency.  It’ll be interesting to see what he decides but with that amount of money guaranteed on the table, I’d take the qualifying offer and revisit this quandary in 2020.

I always felt that it may not cost the Houston Astros as much to retain him as we think.  A contract paying him within between $15 to $18 million per season is right within the market for a guy like him.  It’d be nice for the team to ink him to a three-year deal with that kind of money but this is all about Jeff Luhnow making the first move on the chessboard of contract negotiations.

Next. Four priorities that should be on the Astros' offseason list. dark

It’s Keuchel’s move now — what will the future bring?

We’ll have to see.

What do you think?  Feel free to sound off in the comments section below.

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