Pittsburgh Pirates Potential Trade Targets: Jose Quintana

For the past four seasons, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana has been as consistent as any lefty in baseball.  Could he be a possible fit for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 and beyond?

As everyone who follows the Pittsburgh Pirates knows, the team is in dire need of adding a starting pitcher. Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are the only locks to make the starting rotation in 2017.  The likes of Chad Kuhl, Tyler Glasnow, Drew Hutchison, Steven Brault, and Trevor Williams will all be fighting for a spot in the rotation.

All of these pitchers have questions of doubt.

Will Gerrit Cole be 100% healthy at the start of the season?  How will the rookies of last year pan out in their first full season of major league baseball?  Is Drew Hutchison more than just a chip added to complete a salary dump?  The Pirates need a starting pitcher with no questions.  Chicago White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana could be that guy.

The Numbers

Quintana has been immensely underrated in his career.

In his five seasons, Quintana has thrown at least 200 innings in every year except his rookie year.  In fact, his innings have slightly rose every year that he has pitched.

This guy is not just an innings eater.  He has never had an ERA above 3.76.  Quintana does not walk many batters as he’s never walked more than 56 in a season.  He also doesn’t strike a ton of guys out.  Last year, Quintana recorded his career high in strikeouts with 181. [perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Pirates need a starting pitcher with no questions. Chicago White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana could be that guy.[/perfectpullquote]Quintana also has compiled a career ground ball rate of 44.2%.  That is up from last year’s rate of 40.4%.  If acquired by the Pirates, Quintana will focus on using his 2-seam fastball/cutter combo to force more ground balls.

Contract Situation

Quintana has an extremely team friendly contract.  He is under control for the next two seasons at $7 million and $8.8 million respectively.  After that, he has two team options at $10.5 and $11.5 million with $1 million buyout for both years.  In total, the Pirates could possibly have the 27 year-old (28 by opening day) for four years for $37.8 million.  Considering the current starting pitcher market in free agency, this would be more than a bargain.

Who would the Pirates have to give up?

Considering the production of Quintana and the small amount of money he is to be owed, it would take a lot for the Pirates to pull this off.  A top level prospect or All-Star caliber player would have to be dealt by the Pirates to acquire Quintana.

A straight up swap of Andrew McCutchen for Quintana could be a possibility.  On the surface it seems like the Pirates should ask for more in return.  But when considering McCutchen is under contract for only two more years compared to Quintana’s four years, the deal makes a little more sense.

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If the Pirates wanted take the route of trading prospects, there is no doubt that the White Sox would ask for either Tyler Glasnow or Austin Meadows, along with others.

Is it worth it?

In short, no.  Although Jose Quintana would be the perfect fit for the Pirates both financially and by filling a need, they most likely would have to give up too much.

Quintana is a solid number three pitcher, maybe even a two.  If the Pirates were to give up the farm for a starting pitcher, they might as well go for the home run with the aces such as Chris Archer and Chris Sale.

If it turns out the White Sox do not ask for the farm for Quintana, then by all means, make the deal.  I just don’t see that happening.  Realistically though, the Pirates will gamble on a cheap reclamation project to eat innings until it is clear what sort of quality the Pirates have in their young staff.

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