Reports: Keuchel agrees to join Braves

Free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel reached an agreement to sign with the Atlanta Braves, according to multiple reports Thursday night. David O'Brien of The Athletic wrote on Twitter that it "likely" is a one-year deal.

Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner, rejected a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer last fall from the Houston Astros and had been seeking a multiyear deal, but recent reports indicated he has been willing to accept a one-year prorated deal. During spring training, Keuchel turned down a one-year, $15 million offer from the Astros, ESPN's Buster Olney reported.

Keuchel, 31, was the biggest free agent on the market after closer Craig Kimbrel reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. Until Monday, teams signing either Kimbrel or Keuchel would have lost a draft pick because they turned down qualifying offers. Keuchel compiled a 76-63 record in seven seasons with the Astros. He pitched in 192 games (183 starts) and has a lifetime 3.66 ERA with 945 strikeouts in 1,189 1/3 innings.