The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with veteran left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel for a minor league contract. The Chicago White Sox recently decided to release Keuchel by
designating the lefty for assignment. According to Ken Rosenthal, Keuchel will report to Triple-A and can opt-out of his new contract if he is not added to the active roster of the D-Backs by a specified date.
Dallas Keuchel was at the height of his career with the Houston Astros. Brent Strom, the current pitching coach in Arizona, was his previous coach in Houston. The Diamondbacks have high
hopes that Keuchel's reuniting with Strom would help him rediscover some of his former pitching prowess.
Keuchel, who has won the AL Cy Young Award and has five Gold Gloves to his name, has never had a high-velocity fastball.
The White Sox gave Keuchel a three-year, $55.5 million deal before the 2020 season. In his debut year with the White Sox, he collected a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts. Since then, he has, on the
other hand, had very little success. In 2021, Keuchel recorded an ERA of 5.28 and pitched 162 innings while allowing 105 runs.
He is obligated to get the remaining contract amount of $18 million. So the White Sox will pay the balance of his outstanding contract for the 2022 season. However, the Diamondbacks will
only pay the pro-rated league minimum since Keuchel was able to pass waivers after being designated for assignment. So Chicago is still responsible for paying the buyout on Keuchel's 2023 contract, which is $1.5 million.
Keuchel has struggled this season. He made eight starts with Chicago and finished with a 7.88 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and 20 walks. However, he is currently averaging fewer ground balls than
he ever has in any other season in his career.