Opinion: The Diamondbacks don't need Dallas Keuchel

Since Dallas Keuchel has been signed, he's been less than impressive.

When the Diamondbacks signed Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal back in June, you could already see the possibility that he would join the big-league club sooner rather than later.

So, when he was promoted after just two starts in the Arizona Complex League just three weeks after being signed, it wasn't exactly a surprise.

In all honesty, though, there is no reason for Keuchel to even be in the Dbacks rotation.

As if his numbers earlier this season with the White Sox didn't make clear that his best starts are well behind him, the start to his tenure in Phoenix proves it even more.

Through four starts, he's only thrown 18.2 innings, or an average of under 4 2/3 innings per start. Even worse, his record is 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA.

His debut was a no-decision where he gave up six hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings. It hasn't gotten any better since. In his last start versus the Giants on Tuesday, Keuchel gave up eight hits and eight runs (seven earned) in just 2 1/3 innings. Of course, the Diamondbacks ended up losing the game, 13-0.

So, while the team is clearly a few players and moves away from contending for a wild card berth, filling Keuchel's roster spot with a different player makes more sense. At 34 years old, he won't be here for long and he is clearly not the pitcher he was during his prime with the Astros.

Earlier in the season it seemed like the Diamondbacks might be able to contend for a wild card spot, or at least finish around .500. And while the team is still much better than last season's 52-win atrocity, they are still rebuilding for the contention that is a year or two away.

So, give a younger guy a shot in the big leagues. Bring up someone from Triple-AAA Reno, or at least sign a younger pitcher on the free agent market.

Even while they are rebuilding, the Diamondbacks should still be doing their best to be competitive and win games. Since having Keuchel on the mound is not helping the team win or get better, he doesn't need to be playing for the Dbacks.

Stats via Baseball-Reference.