Phillies Waiting For Price To Drop On Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel
6 years agoThe Philadelphia Phillies are unlikely to engage free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel or starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel unless either pitcher's current asking price drops, according to those close to the situation. Keuchel is believed to be seeking a five-year deal, while Kimbrel is looking for something similar. The Phillies see themselves as favorites to land outfielder Bryce Harper, so that is their main concern right now as well. Philly has their concerns about a long-term deal with Keuchel, who is mainly a ground-ball pitcher that relies on inducing weak contact. However, Keuchel's ground-ball rate and whiff rate dropped considerably last season. Kimbrel had 42 saves for Boston last year and is one of the best late-inning arms in the game, but his velocity also dipped a bit in 2018 and he threw fewer pitches in the strike zone.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki