Best Pitchers Left


With Harper and Machado finally off the board -- and a week into the exhibition season -- there are still some impressive free agents without contracts. 
  • Dallas Keuchel (above) might have the most to offer on a short term basis. While he's never been the same since his 2015 Cy Young Award season, he's still an above-average starter. And at 31, could easily have a couple or three quality years remaining in his left arm. I don't believe he's worth five guaranteed seasons. But two or three -- especially for a club that needs a veteran presence to fill out a rotation that doesn't flash a lot of aces -- could be a sensible choice. With the Phillies still capable of writing one more big check, Gabe Kapler might feel a lot more secure writing his name on the lineup card every fifth day than such question marks as Eflin, Velazquez or the youngster Ranger Suarez.
  • Gio Gonzalez has a lot of miles (and over 1800 innings) on his left arm. But he's been a good #3 or #4 starter -- plus he went 3-0 down the stretch after being traded to the Brewers late last summer. Turning 34 in September, he's not likely to find more than a two-year offer, but could easily be considered more of a sure thing than a prospect yet to experience the six-month grind of a major league season.
  • Craig Kimbrel could be the choice for a club needing a closer. But three straight seasons of an over-2.50 ERA could be a red flag for the soon-to-be 31 year old. The late 2018 ineffectiveness wasn't "good optics." Alex Cora having Chris Sale close out the World Series was more than just symbolic. You can understand why Boston being uncomfortable with a six-year deal approaching $100 million. Or maybe even one half as long.
Time is starting to work against these guys -- and the rest of the still-unsigned veterans. It may be just the third of March, but we're just 25 days, three-and-a-half weeks from opening day. Players have been in camps for more than half a month. There'll be doubt as to whether these hurlers -- or the others still looking for jobs -- can be ready for the season, or can catch up eventually to teammates working out since Valentine's Day.

  

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