The White Sox added to their offseason moves after signing former Yankee, Edwin Encarnacion, to a one-year deal worth $12 million. The contract also includes a $12 million club option for 2021.

The 37-year-old designated hitter/outfielder was ranked 25th out of 50 free agents this offseason by CBS Sports. He’ll most likely continue to DH at this point in his career and will probably be a back-up first baseman to Jose Abreu. He joins a club that finished third place in the AL Central division.

In 109 games played, Encarnacion finished 2019 with an batting average of .244 with 34 homeruns and 86 RBIs. He looks to bolster the White Sox lineup whose designated hitters only accounted for a pathetic 17 homeruns in 550 plate appearances last season. The former Yankee is the only player in the MLB with 30 plus homeruns in the last eight seasons, according to MLB Stats. The White Sox are counting on home run help after being ranked 25th in baseball with only 182 last year.

The White Sox are determined to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008 when they lost in the ALDS to Tampa Bay. The club has already signed Abreu to a three-year extension, and added right-fielder Nomar Mazara through a trade with the Texas Rangers. They also signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million deal, so their lineup has definitely improved.

To improve their pitching rotation the club signed two starting pitchers, Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. Keuchel signed a three-year $55 million deal and Gonzalez comes to Chicago on a one-year deal worth $5 million.

The former Cy Young winner is coming off a short season after remaining a free agent until June when the Braves signed him to a one-year deal worth $13 million. Last season he had 19 starts with a 3.75 ERA, but only 91 strikeouts. On the bright side he only allowed 115 hits; the second lowest amount in his career.

Gonzalez had a short season with only 17 starts, but recorded a 3.50 ERA and 78 strikeouts.

Hopefully these moves pan out and allow the White Sox to have a winning record for the first time in seven years.

Finally ending an unusually long vacation, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel finally put pen to paper, committing to pitch for the Atlanta Braves this season. Keuchel not only joins a young, playoff hopeful NL power, but gets to keep his trademark beard, as the Yankees failed to acquire the lefty amid their valiant efforts this week.

Despite throwing effectively for the Houston Astros his entire career, Houston declined to sign their former ace, as his price tag exceeded Houston’s original expectations. However, Houston wasn’t alone with their reaction to Keuchel’s asking price. Until yesterday, no MLB team chose to sign Keuchel despite his skill and the league’s constant demand for effective starting pitching. A similar situation played out with form Boston Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel, who the Cubs just signed days ago. Keuchel posts an impressive 3.66 ERA and won a championship with the Astros in 2017.

Keuchel now inks a one year $13 million deal, trumping the three year $17 million contract which Houston originally offered him. Once cashing in and passing a physical, Keuchel will ascend to the mound for Atlanta’s AAA team to freshen up before making his big league debut for the second place Braves.The 2015 Cy Young winner will eventually add to an already talented young rotation including Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Kevin Gausman and others who combine to hold a respectable 4.36 ERA.

The Braves will expect Keuchel to evolve back into his 150+ strikeout form as they chase the Philadelphia Phillies, sitting just two games behind. Keuchel often operates as a ground ball pitcher whose ability to change speeds effectively and toss a sweeping slider helps him put away batter after batter. With the Braves pushing toward a playoff berth, Keuchel’s post season excellence highlighted by 3.60 ERA and memorable dominant starts against AL powers such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox give the Braves optimism as the playoffs slowly but surely inch closer.

Barring a miraculous Braves vs. Astros World Series matchup, Keuchel won’t face his old team this season. However, he’ll likely look to prove his worth not only to the Houston Astros, but the many other MLB teams neglecting to pay him.

Dallas Keuchel is now available as a free agent, free to sign wherever he likes, without the Houston Astros or other teams having to use a draft pick to get him.

The 2015 AL Cy Young winner, four-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star now has a wide-open market to choose from. Let’s look at the best options for both Keuchel and the teams that want him.

The New York Yankees:

Pitcher Luis Severino has yet to play this season, but is expected to play after the All-Star break. Pitcher James Paxton has also been out for over a month now. Depth is clearly missing for the Yankees and they have the money to sign Keuchel.

Keuchel is looking for a multi-year deal, and the Yankees currently hold a 2.5 game lead in the AL East over the Tampa Bay Rays. Keuchel could be the new face of the Yankees bullpen as they are in need of a reliable arm in the postseason when it matters most. 

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The Atlanta Braves:

Keuchel could be looking to stay South, as the Braves are hunting for a dependable arm in the postseason. The Braves are currently half a game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Although the Braves have Kevin Gausman and Mike Foltynewicz, they lack serious depth. They have experience across the board, as well as plenty of young players in development, but having Keuchel as the anchor could prove vital for the Braves’ bullpen.

St. Louis Cardinals:

Since they are three games behind NL Central leaders Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals are wide open for a change in their system ahead of the summer. They have the likes of rookie Genesis Cabrera getting some first team minutes, but like any other team looking for Keuchel, the Cardinals are looking to place a big piece to a major puzzle.

After leading the American League in wins and leading the Houston Astros pitching staff in their return to the postseason, Dallas Keuchel took home the 2015 A.L Cy Young Award as the league’s best pitcher.

The Tulsa, Okla., native received 22 of the 30 possible votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America; David Price, who split the season between Detroit and Toronto, received the other eight and finished in second place. Oakland’s Sonny Gray finished in third.

Keuchel finished the season with a 20-8 record, 216 strikeouts and a 2.48 ERA. He was virtually unhittable at home in Minute-Maid Park, where he went undefeated in 18 starts; that stretch made him the first ever pitcher to win at least 15 games without dropping a decision at home.

The Cy Young isn’t left-hander’s first award of the offseason; earlier this week he took home his second consecutive Gold Glove alongside teammate Jose Altuve.

PHOTO: KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 14:  Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals during game five of the American League Divison Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 14, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)