That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies rumors: Four left-handed starters to target this offseason

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 31: J.A. Happ #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 31, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 31: J.A. Happ #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 31, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Dallas Keuchel – Free agency

Dallas Keuchel entered free agency as one of the top starting pitchers available and is likely considered the top option for teams seeking an impact starter.

An anchor in the Astros World Series rotation, Keuchel has a history of being dominant, yet inconsistent. From 2014-15 he had eight complete games and led the league in multiple categories en route to a Cy Young award in 2015.

That season Keuchel won 20 games, threw two shutouts, faced 911 batters, and had a 1.017 WHIP. The next season that extended use appeared to hinder him, and he was limited to 26 starts with a 4.55 ERA and a 9-12 record.

Phillies
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 08: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Houston’s championship season brought out more of Keuchel’s best, but he was limited to 23 starts and 145.2 innings, the second-fewest in his career, but threw an additional 27.2 postseason innings. Keuchel carried a 2.90 ERA with 14 wins in the regular season en route to a championship.

Last year Keuchel’s rollercoaster career took another downward turn after he started a league-high 34 games, faced a league-high 874 batters, and allowed a league high 211 hits.

A 3.74 ERA isn’t something to hang your hat on going into the biggest offseason of your life looking for $100 million guaranteed.

Keuchel scares a lot of fans similar to Jake Arrieta last offseason. Both are former Cy Young winners who’ve been overworked, throw into high-leverage postseason games, and regressed going into free agency.

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