Boras believes Keuchel could be ready 1 week after signing

Scott Boras doesn't think it will take Dallas Keuchel long to get up to game speed once he signs with a team.

The renowned agent told Jon Morosi of MLB Network on Friday that Keuchel could be ready to start in the majors within the first week of signing a new deal, adding that Keuchel has been building up his arm strength by throwing seven simulated games of 95-104 pitches on a five-day rotation.

Keuchel's market is expected to heat up early next week. He rejected a $17.9-million qualifying offer from the Houston Astros in November, but will no longer be attached to draft-pick compensation once the 2019 MLB Draft opens Monday. The New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly among the teams expected to have interest in the former Cy Young winner.

The 31-year-old is coming off a solid season in which he posted a 3.74 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 153 strikeouts over 204 2/3 innings.