Source: Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel clears release waivers

Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel cleared release waivers on Tuesday and became a free agent, according to a league source.

It was too soon to say definitively if the Mets will pursue Keuchel (the team will likely discuss it shortly), but it’s not too soon to offer a brief opinion: They should, because why not?

In fact, the biggest obstacle could be the interest from other teams. One league source expects the Mets will have competition for Keuchel, if they choose to pursue him, and mentioned Milwaukee and San Francisco as other contenders in need of rotation help who could be interested.

Keuchel pitched poorly enough this season that the Chicago White Sox cut him, and we’re under no illusions that he’ll be a savior for the Mets, not that they need one.

But with Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom out (Tylor Megill is close to starting a rehab assignment), and Thomas Szapucki starting a game last week, it seems worth a flier on a pitcher who might have one act left in him.

Szapucki allowed nine runs in 1.1 innings in San Francisco. Megill’s looming return should take care of that rotation spot, but Trevor Williams was never intended to be in the starting five (nor was David Peterson, for that matter). It’s hard to argue against giving Buck Showalter another option.

Keuchel, 34, had a 7.88 ERA with Chicago this year, along with a 6.20 FIP and 4.48 expected ERA. Those are ugly numbers -- the peripherals are bad, too -- and he might be cooked. He might also benefit from new voices, new scenery and a better team. There’s no way to know unless the Mets try it.

With the White Sox on the hook for the rest of the three-year, $55.5 million deal that Keuchel signed before the 2020 season, and the Mets at least temporarily short of pitching, why not sign Keuchel at the prorated minimum salary?

The next day or so will provide clarity on whether the front office agrees.