With the MLB Draft less than a week away, it would be stunning if free agents Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel don't wait until after then to sign. And there is one team that has "real interest" in both.
The Braves, who are in second place in the NL East, had GM Alex Anthopoulos make it "clear" while speaking with Jim Bowden of The Athletic that they have interest in both players -- who will no longer be attached to draft pick compensation once the draft passes.
The Yankees, who have been scouting Keuchel and are currently without James Paxton, Luis Severino, and CC Sabathia, might also have some competition from the Rays, who have been staying in touch with Keuchel.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Dallas Keuchel's camp is now said to once again be open to a one-year contract.
Olney notes that Keuchel was originally looking for a long-term deal, but would now consider a one-year deal in the prorated qualifying offer range (around $18 million).
The Yankees' payroll is currently at $227.6 million, with the luxury-tax threshold at $246 million, meaning Keuchel could potentially be a tight squeeze. But with Keuchel unlikely to be ready to pitch until mid-June at the earliest, it's hard to see him getting a deal that would pay him more than $18 million this season.
The 31-year-old Keuchel, who has said he prefers to play in a big market and is reportedly open to a high-AAV one-year deal, had a 3.74 ERA (3.69 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP in 204.2 innings (34 starts) last season.