San Francisco Giants: Five starting pitchers to target in free agency

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 31: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at SunTrust Park on August 31, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /

LHP Dallas Keuchel

Things did not go according to plan for Dallas Keuchel last offseason.

After rejecting a qualifying offer and looking like one of the top starting pitching options on the open market, the 31-year-old left-hander instead had to wait until June 7 to finally sign a one-year, $13 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.

Since returning to action, he’s gone 7-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 90.2 innings over 15 starts. He’s no longer the same ace-caliber pitcher that won AL Cy Young honors in 2015, but he’s a solid veteran lefty capable of eating up innings at a quality level.

He’d be a welcome presence to the San Francisco Giants clubhouse, and his postseason experience makes him a viable replacement for Bumgarner.

Consistency is perhaps his greatest asset, and the biggest reason the Giants should consider signing him.

Over the course of his eight-year career, he’s gone 83-68 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 198 starts. He won’t blow opposing batters away, but he will pitch to a lot of contact and eat a lot of innings. The Giants are a strong defensive team and their bullpen has needed to shoulder a lot of innings this year, so both of those appealing qualities.

If the price is right, Keuchel would be a great addition.