MLB Rumors: Yankees, Braves Are 'Favorites' to Sign Dallas Keuchel to Contract

Now that Dallas Keuchel is free to sign without costing a team a draft pick, his market appears to be taking clear shape for the first time since he hit the market last October. 

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves are considered favorites to sign Keuchel with offers "believed to be in the same area."

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, some of the offers Keuchel has received are a prorated salary of the $18 million he would have received if he accepted the qualifying offer from the Houston Astros. The southpaw's camp is still hoping to secure a multiyear deal. 

A broad market exists for Keuchel among contending teams in both leagues. 

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Sunday the St. Louis Cardinals were also among the leaders, along with Atlanta and New York, to sign the 2015 American League Cy Young winner.

The Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are the other teams Heyman listed as being in the race, though it's unclear how strong the interest from those clubs is. 

The Yankees and Braves make sense as landing spots for Keuchel. New York holds a narrow 2.5-game lead over the Rays in the AL East. The Braves are one-half game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. 

Both teams have significant holes in their starting rotation. Luis Severino is out until at least after the All-Star break for the Yankees with a Grade 2 lat strain. The Braves need more depth with Kevin Gausman and Mike Foltynewicz both sporting ERAs over 5.50. 

Keuchel owns a 3.28 ERA with 784 strikeouts and 11 complete games in 950.1 innings over 145 starts from 2014 to 2018.