Will the White Sox DFA Dallas Keuchel?
The left-handed starter has gone down hill after the shortened 2020 season and things aren’t looking any better to begin 2022. Keuchel is in the third year of his three-year guaranteed deal, but there is an option that kicks in for a fourth year at $20 million for 2023 if he throws at least 160 innings this year.
Welcome to the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast, Chicago’s #1 Cubs and White Sox podcast. Hosted by Matt Zawaski, Aldo Soto and Kevin Fiddler. Follow them on Twitter @SouthsideZo, @AldoSoto21 and @KFidds. This week we talked about Keuchel, his performance, his comments after Wednesday’s start and his future with the White Sox.
Join the conversation live on stream every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. as the trio recap all the latest news and rumors about the Cubs and White Sox and cover the biggest stories around MLB. Download and listen to every episode on your preferred podcast app and follow the show on Twitter @PinwheelsIvyPod.
The biggest factor might be the huge amount of money that Keuchel is owed in 2022, as he is set to make $18 million this year. However, as some fans have pointed out, this wouldn’t be the first time the White Sox cut ties with a veteran left-handed starter owed more than $10 million in a season. Back in 2016, John Danks was DFA’d after four starts. Danks was in the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract when he was let go by the team.
Also, as recent as last year, the White Sox got rid of Adam Eaton when he wasn’t performing either after signing him to an $8 million deal.
Of course, for the White Sox to reach the decision of DFA’ing Keuchel they’d have to be pretty confident in their pitching depth. Johnny Cueto is still ramping up in extended spring training, but he could be ready in a week or two. Vince Velasquez has to show he’s more consistent and maybe the team would feel confident in guys like Jimmy Lambert or Reynaldo Lopez.
Or who knows, maybe the White Sox can dump Keuchel on to another team, pay most or all of his contract and get something, anything back in a trade. And it’s not like the White Sox can just stick Keuchel in the bullpen. He’s not really a good fit there with all the contact he gives up.
Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast on YouTube.
Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast on Apple.
Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast on Spotify.
Support Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast on Anchor.
Since the start of July 2021, Keuchel has allowed 68 earned runs in 81.2 innings. That’s a 7.49 ERA the last 18 times Keuchel has pitched for the White Sox.
Latest Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast below.
