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Jose Quintana Predicted to Leave Mets for $13M Deal with Blue Jays
Veteran Southpaw Could Bring Much-Needed Stability to Toronto’s Rotation
As the MLB offseason heats up, veteran pitcher José Quintana finds himself at the center of free agency rumors. After a rollercoaster 2023 season with the New York Mets, Quintana is now projected to sign a one-year, $13 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball. This move would mark another significant shift in the Mets’ pitching staff, following the departures of other key arms like Luis Severino.
Quintana’s Mixed 2023 Season Shows Signs of Promise
Quintana’s 2023 season was a tale of highs and lows. The 35-year-old lefty struggled at times, posting a 7.20 ERA over five starts in May and a 5.63 ERA across six starts in August. However, his resilience shone through as he rebounded with an exceptional late-season run. From August 25 through the end of the season, Quintana dominated the mound, boasting an MLB-best 0.74 ERA across his final six starts.
“Still, every time when Quintana endured a rough stretch, he bounced back with a great one,” Finkelstein noted. This ability to recover from struggles makes Quintana an appealing target for teams in need of rotation depth.
Why the Blue Jays Make Sense for Quintana
The Toronto Blue Jays have been aggressive in their pursuit of top-tier talent this offseason but have come up short on major targets like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Adding Quintana, while not a blockbuster move, could be a strategic decision to solidify the back end of their starting rotation.
Toronto’s pitching staff could benefit from Quintana’s veteran presence and consistency. While not a frontline ace, he offers reliability and experience that could stabilize the rotation, especially during the long grind of the regular season.
A Growing Trend for the Mets’ Rotation
The Mets’ offseason strategy has revolved around signing pitchers with upside, including Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. With Severino already gone and Quintana potentially following suit, New York’s rotation could see significant turnover.
Losing Quintana would leave a gap in the Mets’ pitching depth, but it also reflects their broader focus on high-risk, high-reward arms rather than established veterans. Whether this strategy pays off remains to be seen.
Quintana’s Potential Impact in Toronto
For the Blue Jays, bringing in Quintana on a one-year, $13 million deal would be a relatively low-risk move with the potential for high rewards. His late-season surge in 2023 suggests he still has plenty left in the tank.
Toronto needs every advantage it can get in the highly competitive American League East, and adding a seasoned lefty like Quintana could provide the rotation with the depth and durability it currently lacks.
As free agency progresses, all eyes will be on Quintana’s decision. Whether he stays in New York or takes his talents north to Toronto, his next move could have a significant impact on both franchises heading into the 2024 season.