Dallas Keuchel is still a candidate to be extended but he might not sign a deal until the end of the season. The Astros have been working on a long-term contract for Keuchel, but according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, both sides will not discuss a new deal until the end of the season.
Houston would ideally like to buy out all of Keuchel's arbitration years and at least a year of free agency. Since Keuchel is 27, a four or five year deal is likely all that is realistic.
As the end of the season approaches, the Astros continue to sit in first place in the American League West. The club was notably active before the non-waiver trade deadline but has also had a notable amount of success as a result of Keuchel's solid 2015 campaign on the mound.
Over 192.2 innings this season, Keuchel has pitched to a 2.24 ERA and 2.70 FIP. He has proven to be durable over the course of his career, tossing at least 150 innings in each of the last three seasons, including this one.
Keuchel is still earning the league minimum this season and he would be eligible for arbitration for the first time heading into 2016. He is not set to become a free agent until after the 2018 season.
Looking towards 2016, the Astros have a lot of young talent within their rotation. Keuchel and Mike Fiers are both effective and Vincent Velasquez and Lance McCullers Jr. have both pitched well.
The Astros have a desire to extend Keuchel. It is just a matter of when the deal gets done and how valuable it proves to be for both sides.