Dallas Keuchel chooses to hang in there with the Twins/Saints

[Althebum82]

Encouraging news today:  Dallas Keuchel Bypasses Opt-Out Chance With Twins - MLB Trade Rumors

He has made four starts for a total of 20 innings to a nice 0.90 ERA and 17 strikeouts.  He could have forced the Twins to add him to the forty man roster or let him go but is for now content to keep the status quo.

[Brandon]

I imagine there is a handshake agreement that if he is not with the Twins by July 31rst they will try to trade him.  That would be better for Keuchel then going into free agency now.  

[Jocko87]

That's good news.  He said he joined the Twins for reasons other than direct path to the big leagues and this would support that.  No Idea what direction this goes but lots of good options now.  I was on the trade chip path but maybe bullpen/opener is feasible? Boras client so many things at work.

[ashbury]

When a player decides against the opt-out on the given date, is he committed to the team for the rest of the season, or can he later decide he's out?

[Brandon]

11 hours ago, ashbury said:

When a player decides against the opt-out on the given date, is he committed to the team for the rest of the season, or can he later decide he's out?

Depends on how many opt outs are in his contract.  Or if a new opt out date is renegotiated.  I’ve seen both play out in the past.  

[Nine of twelve]

Interesting situation given his very good AAA numbers so far, and I wonder how much longer we have to decide. I think it would be good to have a left-handed starter, and if the Twins decide to put him in the rotation I'd move Maeda to the bullpen. On the other hand, he would provide a big contrast in style and handedness to our starters which could help to make him an effective 6th and/or 7th inning reliever. 

[ashbury]

27 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Depends on how many opt outs are in his contract.  Or if a new opt out date is renegotiated.  I’ve seen both play out in the past.  

Okay, but this sounds like if there is simply an opt-out, then if it's not exercised on or by the date specified, the player is committed for the rest of the season.  Which makes sense, I just want to know.

[Squirrel]

12 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

That's good news.  He said he joined the Twins for reasons other than direct path to the big leagues and this would support that.  No Idea what direction this goes but lots of good options now.  I was on the trade chip path but maybe bullpen/opener is feasible? Boras client so many things at work.

I wonder what those reasons were?

[Dave Borton]

1 hour ago, Nine of twelve said:

Interesting situation given his very good AAA numbers so far... if the Twins decide to put him in the rotation I'd move Maeda to the bullpen. On the other hand, he would provide a big contrast in style and handedness to our starters which could help to make him an effective 6th and/or 7th inning reliever. 

Still too early to slide Maeda. Keuchel working 5 inn per start, 3.6BB/9, 1.40wHip. 

[mnfireman]

1 hour ago, davidborton said:

Still too early to slide Maeda. Working 5 inn per start, 3.6BB/9, 1.40wHip. 

Agreed, Maeda has a 2.73 ERA (2.56 FIP) and a slash line against of .198/.265/.308 (.572 OPS) in addition to averaging 5+ innings per start since returning from the IL.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

This is really good news.  Having a potential veteran insurance policy is nice, even if he might not be quite ready.  I would want him able to eat innings if somebody got hurt or as stated earlier by @Nine of twelve, would be quite a contrast in the middle innings. 

[Dave Borton]

This short period of time is not dissimilar to a spring training for him. Needs time.

[Jocko87]

6 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I wonder what those reasons were?

About 2:30 in but a good interview all through.

https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/dallas-keuchel-twins-st-paul-saints-interview-minor-league-contract/

[FlyingFinn]

18 hours ago, ashbury said:

When a player decides against the opt-out on the given date, is he committed to the team for the rest of the season, or can he later decide he's out?

They just agreed to move it to July 31.

[IndianaTwin]

19 hours ago, ashbury said:

When a player decides against the opt-out on the given date, is he committed to the team for the rest of the season, or can he later decide he's out?

I have a friend who's been a AAAA veteran catcher with experience (now retired). From talking to him, I really think it varies. My sense is that as professional courtesy, teams are pretty open with their opt-out candidates on what they are thinking.

He also has said that while teams aren't "allowed" to reach out to someone who has an opt-out with another team, it happens pretty regularly. That Keuchel is still in St. Paul suggests that didn't happen, at least with a team he wants to go to.

FlyingFinn notes that they agreed to push the date back, which also often happens. We don't know how that conversation went. It could have easily been with a commitment that he will be the next guy called up if there is an injury (and it can be worked out with when he's last thrown in St. Paul, etc.). It could also be with an understanding that the Twins would willingly let him go if a team reaches out. It could be that they've told Keuchel they're seeking to trade a pitcher for a bat. It could be with....

And it's counterproductive for the Twins to screw him over or not be straightforward in a situation like this. If they do or aren't, word gets around and they won't have an opportunity with the next guy they are interested in.

I also don't think it's a coincidence this is happening with a Boras client. An agent is working for the player, obviously, but that doesn't mean it has be adversarial relationship with a team. I get the feeling that the Twins have a good working relationship with Boras.     

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

About 2:30 in but a good interview all through.

https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/dallas-keuchel-twins-st-paul-saints-interview-minor-league-contract/

Thanks, Jocko. This is a great interview.

To me, the statement that most stands out (and that fits with my prior comment) is at about 3:20, where he says, "To me, it's about the front office's willing(ness) to have a relationship with a player." It seems clear he has respect for the Twins organization. He later speaks positively of Rocco specifically. 

[IndianaTwin]

And it looks like he was very sharp again tonight. Two hits, three walks, three whiffs and no runs over six innings. 

[Dave Borton]

The OP is one step ahead of Sports Illustrated, posing the same questions.

Spot reliever, bumping Maeda, trade an arm for a <s>leg</s> bat.

 

https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/twins/how-does-dallas-keuchel-impact-the-twins-plans-at-the-trade-deadline

[nicksaviking]

MLBTR is reporting (yes, actually MLBTR and not a link) that Keuchel has a second opt out date, and that it happens to be the trade deadline.

That specific date leaves several dark corners to explore. If he didn't opt out of the first date, he must think the second is significant. Like might the Twins actually trade one of their starters? Or do they actually trade Keuchel himself? That second seems unlikely, because why wouldn't Keuchel prefer to choose his own team via the first opt out instead of letting the Twins pick it for him?

[Nine of twelve]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

MLBTR is reporting (yes, actually MLBTR and not a link) that Keuchel has a second opt out date, and that it happens to be the trade deadline.

That specific date leaves several dark corners to explore. If he didn't opt out of the first date, he must think the second is significant. Like might the Twins actually trade one of their starters? Or do they actually trade Keuchel himself? That second seems unlikely, because why wouldn't Keuchel prefer to choose his own team via the first opt out instead of letting the Twins pick it for him?

Good point. Keuchel effectively indicated that the Twins were his first choice by waiving the first opt-out.