Scott Boras does hyperbole like Stephen Curry shoots — in volume and effortlessly. The agent inflates, conflates and overstates in the name of embellishing clients, creating leverage and making sure no one sees him sweat even when the market is working against him.

On Monday, Boras was doing his best P.T. Barnum, mentioning on MLB Network Radio not just that scouts were watching Dallas Keuchel throw simulated games, but that there were so many that, “We had to open the hot dog stand.” But hype probably is no longer necessary. A confluence of factors has emerged to create a competitive market that was lacking in the offseason:

1. Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel were given the qualifying offer after last season, and the draft-pick compensation that would go to the Astros and Red Sox, respectively, expires at midnight Sunday. So teams that did not want to lose selections to sign either pitcher can now try to enlist them.

2. After an offseason that began with requests in the five-to-seven-year range for $20 million-plus, the Keuchel camp lowered its ask months ago. A few teams think the price will come in near the qualifying offer ($17.9 million) pro-rated, though the presence of multiple suitors could affect that. Kimbrel was more fervent in sticking to multi-year demands.

3. The reality of the season has set in with injuries and an establishment of races, especially among so many teams in the NL. That means a need to improve — sooner than later.

There has been buzz that trades could be made earlier than normal before the July 31 deadline because of that dynamic and because waiver trades are no longer allowed in August. But a) I will believe teams will act without a deadline when I see it, and b) prospect costs for Madison Bumgarner (Giants), Trevor Bauer (Indians) and Max Scherzer, if the Nationals ever work up the nerve to move him, will be significant. Keuchel is just money with likely no commitment beyond this season.

“Keuchel can definitely help a team,” his Astros manager, A.J. Hinch, told me by text. “He will need some time to get up and running but he was undefeated as an Opening Day starter for us (3-0). He knows how to prepare. He navigates his way through games. Stressful times don’t faze him. I guess you never know how sharp he will be given the time off but he will be prepared.“

Keuchel’s simulated games have drawn most contenders, including the Yankees, Braves, Rays and Twins. Who will sign him? That should be known in a few days. But here is who should be pushing hardest:

1. Cardinals: They began Wednesday 26-27, tied with the Pirates for third in the NL Central, looking up at the Cubs and Brewers largely because of an underperforming rotation from which Michael Wacha (5.59 ERA) has been pulled, Adam Wainwright (4.94) has looked near the end and Miles Mikolas (4.76) has regressed after signing an extension. St. Louis talks every offseason about using its big resources, but never quite goes all-in. Here is a chance to financially flex. Keuchel is an extreme groundball pitcher, and St. Louis’ infield (not counting pitchers and catchers) leads the majors in Defensive Runs Saved.

2. Angels: Their wild-card chances are slim, but don’t they at least have to try their best to get Mike Trout to the playoffs if a road opens that costs money and allows them to protect the improving farm system for one more year? Particularly after their offseason signings of Matt Harvey (7.50 ERA) and Trevor Cahill (6.92) for $20 million combined have proven disastrous.

3. Yankees: CC Sabathia already has had two IL pit stops, and James Paxton has made his way to the list for the sixth straight season (eight times in all). Both have knee time bombs. Masahiro Tanaka has been on the IL four of his five previous seasons. Domingo German is operating with an innings cap. J.A. Happ has been unreliable. The Yankees cannot be sure when and what they will get when Luis Severino, Jordan Montgomery and Jonathan Loaisiga return from the IL. Having such an unorthodox entry into a season leaves Keuchel a mystery, but he was a workhorse last year, and the Yankees sure could use a workhorse to better protect their bullpen.

4. Brewers: Milwaukee has been more associated with Kimbrel, but its 13 quality starts were an NL low (the Angels’ nine were the majors’ worst), and it is decaying a pen that is already without Corey Knebel for the season. Keuchel would allow the Brewers to move a starter to the pen. They already have pushed to a record payroll, but owner Mark Attanasio has shown a willingness to both be aggressive and do deals with Boras in the past.

5. Phillies: They are as go-for-it as any team, and Vince Velasquez is already out of the rotation.

6. Mets: They are second worst in infield Defensive Runs Saved, so the match is not ideal. Plus, the Mets do not believe that Jason Vargas can help much out of the pen, and would the Wilpons be willing to take on a contract and eat a contract simultaneously? If they stay in it, they would likely be more aggressive in the relief trade market.

7. A’s: The small-market Rays have been tied to Keuchel, but I wonder if their tiny crowds make it harder for them to invest, especially if they have to try to outbid a big boy like the Yankees. The A’s, meanwhile, have a history of boldness when they are contenders. They need the rotation help, and Keuchel has a career 3.32 ERA in the Coliseum (10 games/nine starts).

see also The AL disaster that isn't going away Memorial Day traditionally has been viewed as the start of... Manager A.J. Hinch assured me in spring that the rotation would not undermine the team even after not re-upping with Keuchel, losing Charlie Morton to free agency and losing Lance McCullers Jr. for the season following Tommy John surgery. And he was right. Wade Miley and Brad Peacock have filled in ably. But Collin McHugh fell from the rotation, and despite a stable of prospect arms, might they reach to their recent past? Or did they not sign Keuchel because they know something about his arm that the rest of the league does not?

9. Padres: With perhaps the deepest prospect base, San Diego has been more associated with a trade for someone such as Bauer, but this is another smaller-market team that has shown aggression in recent years.

10. Twins/Braves: Both have been more tied to Kimbrel. Both, though, could use another veteran stabilizer in the rotation.