Dallas Keuchel Houston Astros
Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pauses on the mound against Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Tim Warner/Getty Images

A few months after the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros met in the 2018 ALCS, both teams are expected to lose key pitchers in free agency. Closer Craig Kimbrel has probably played his last game with the Red Sox, and starter Dallas Keuchel seems likely to end up with a National League team.

Boston might have made their one big move of the offseason by re-signing Nathan Eovaldi to a four-year, $68 million contract. Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it pretty clear that Kimbrel won’t be back by telling reporters the team doesn’t plan on paying big money for a closer

Kimbrel, 30, is reportedly seeking a six-year contract. Even if the reliever ends up in the five-year, $80 million range like the deals Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen recently signed, he’s still likely not in Boston’s plans.

With seven All-Star appearances and a 1.91 career ERA, Kimbrel is the No.1 reliever on the market

The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly have interest in Kimbrel. As the team looks to spend a ton of money this offseason, Philadelphia also has eyes on Keuchel.

Keuchel, 30, is the best starting pitcher on the market now that Patrick Corbin is no longer available. The Phillies wanted Corbin, but they were unwilling to match the Washington Nationals’ $140 million offer. That could mean Philadelphia will overpay to make sure they end up with one of this year’s best free-agent starters.

The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves are also considered to be players for Keuchel. Fancred’s Jon Heyman has indicated that the Reds could make a hard push to sign the left-hander, while Atlanta could be hampered by a limited budget.

There haven’t been any reports saying Houston is aggressively trying to keep Keuchel. The Astros could instead be looking for a cheaper solution in J.A. Happ, who will likely only get a two or three-year contract. Teams that miss out on Happ, including Houston, could turn their attention to Keuchel if he’s still unsigned.

Keuchel has spent all seven of his MLB seasons with the Astros, winning a Cy Young award and posting a 3.66 ERA in 1,189.1 innings.

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