The next starting pitcher signing has gone down, and it’s an old friend heading to the New York Mets.
Jose Quintana gets a nice contract after a strong bounce-back 2022 season:
I can think of a number of implications here off the top of my head …
1.) The Cardinals really liked Quintana, who was obviously quite good for them after the Trade Deadline. There was talk that they wanted to keep him, and obviously that did not work out. I tend to think they still need another starter. And they also now have more money to work with generally.
2.) The Mets, after signing Justin Verlander, were expected to still want another couple starting pitchers, so there’s one right there. I would NOT assume this move takes them out on any pitcher in particular, but it does likely mean – for example – that they won’t be getting TWO more of the bigger pitching names. The Cubs were never in on Quintana, so him going to one of the most aggressive pitching-hungry teams seems good.
3.) I would not call this one a HUGE deal for Quintana, who probably fell solidly below that second tier of starting pitchers. But still, getting $13 million annually on a two-year deal for a guy who was, just a couple years ago, barely able to manage a big league contract? I mean, I know he was really good this past season (and in the distant past), but I would say it’s just another reflection that starting pitcher price tags are up in every tier. A guy like Corey Kluber, for example, might be able to hold out for two years or something crazy!