As many expected, Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel turned down the team's qualifying offer on Monday, which would have paid him $17.9 million for the 2019 season. By rejecting the offer, the Astros would receive compensation in the form of a pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
The lefty starting pitcher was expected to hit free agency looking for a long-term lucrative offer, a move that was signaled by his hiring of super agent Scott Boras last December. While it's possible the former Cy Young Award winner could return to Houston, it is more likely he ends up leaving for a team that will offer him #1 starting pitcher money. With Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole as the Astros top line pitchers, it's unlikely they will overpay for their third starting pitcher.