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The Houston Astros have struck deals with outfielders Nori Aoki and Jake Marisnick to avoid arbitration. But the biggest target remained: LHP Dallas Keuchel. But no longer.
The Astros and Keuchel have reached an agreement for a one-year deal for $ 9.15 million ahead of the arbitration deadline on Friday, reports MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
Dallas Keuchel gets $9.15 million from Astros
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) January 13, 2017
Keuchel, 29, took a step back last year following his 2015 Cy Young Award winning campaign the season before. He was 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 26 starts — striking out 144 and walking 48.
Keuchel had a 1.28 WHIP, 87 ERA+, .304 BABIP, and a 3.87 FIP in 2016.
After a terrible April and May (3-6, 5.58 ERA in 12 starts), Keuchel was able to rebound in the second half to finish with a 3-3 record and 3.94 ERA in seven starts after the All-Star Break.
The Astros didn’t add another game-changing arm to pair with Keuchel this offseason, thus Houston will be rolling Keuchel as their frontline starter in 2017.
The $9.15 million figure is below the MLB Trade Rumor’s projection of $ 9.5 million.