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Atlanta Braves Going Through the Motions Again on Quintana?

By Alan Carpenter

Mar 10, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Colombia pitcher Jose Quintana (62) throws a pitch in the third inning against the USA during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Colombia pitcher Jose Quintana (62) throws a pitch in the third inning against the USA during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The rumors are resurfacing, and so we’ll revisit as well. Jose Quintana is still available and there’s good reasons for at least a dozen teams to check in on him.

Word is that the Atlanta Braves are still kicking the ball around the yard with the White Sox on the subject of Jose Quintana.  There are some reasons why this is still ‘a thing’.

First let’s be reminded why he’s such a hot commodity:

  • Availability.  The White Sox have made no secret of their desire to rebuild their farm system, and when Chris Sale was sold off, that meant everybody was available.
  • Urgency?  A lot of observers are downplaying this significantly, but I personally believe that (a) Quintana’s performance in the WBC cemented his place as a quality arm; and (b) Sonny Gray‘s injury issues might have spooked the Sox a bit.
  • Control.  Quintana is still on a ridiculously team-friendly pact through 2018, with two team options beyond that for no more than $11.5 million per year.  In the open market as a free agent, this 28-year-old gets $100 million easily.
  • Performance.  Here’s some numbers of note:
    • Quintana(AL): 951ip, 7.39 k/9, 2.31 bb/9, 3.41ERA, 3.47 FIP
    • Teheran (NL): 821ip, 7.77 k/9, 1.96 bb/9, 3.21ERA, 3.69 FIP

In other words, Quintana has at least matched – if not surpassed – Julio Teheran‘s numbers when accounting for league differences.  He’s also thrown 130 more innings while being durable as a horse.  Pitchers like this don’t come around often.

Maybe Teheran’s firsthand look at Quintana while both played for Colombia at the WBC had him put in a word with the Braves’ brass, but either way, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Braves have at least had a recent chat with the White Sox on this topic:

"Multiple teams, including the Atlanta Braves, have shown continued interest, according to sources. Others known to have been involved at points this spring are the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates."

But is there a Match?

MLB Trade Rumors raised this question last night:

"…while connections between Quintana and the Braves have been largely quiet since December, when Atlanta reportedly balked at Chicago’s very high asking price for the southpaw. Several evaluators tell Passan that the Braves aren’t a great trade fit for the Sox, as while Atlanta’s farm system is very deep, its top prospects (Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies and Kevin Maitan) are all middle infielders, and Chicago already has Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada slated as their up-the-middle combo of the future."

Personally, I’m also wondering who becomes most expendable in the rotation should the Braves actually meet the Sox price.

Atlanta cannot trade Bartolo Colon or R.A. Dickey until at least mid-June.  Trading back Teheran makes no sense at all.  Jaime Garcia?  Maybe, but there would likely have to be money involved.

Mike Foltynewicz?  I think there’d be a fan riot if that happened… or even if he were bumped to the minors, but that’s probably the most likely scenario until June 15th.

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