Mets reach two year deal with Quintana

*Photo from UPI*

   The rotation re-development continues with haste in Queens. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the New York Mets and LHP Jose Quintana have agreed to a two year, $26 million deal. The Mets have confirmed the deal.

   Quintana entered last offseason with very little value, opting for a one year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates to try and revive his career. He did just that, becoming the game one starter in the Wild Card round for the St. Louis Cardinals by season's end following a midseason trade. Not bad for someone with a 5.13 ERA from 2019 to 2021.

   Across time with the Pirates and Cardinals, Quintana ended the season with a 2.99 FIP, 2.93 ERA, and 1.21 WHIP, striking out 137 hitters while throwing 165 2/3 innings, making 32 starts between both teams. He pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in one postseason start in 2022.

   Mets GM Billy Eppler said of Quintana that "Over the last decade, José has been one of the most dependable starting pitchers in the majors. Adding another left-handed option to our rotation, especially one with his durability, experience, and moxie, will give our starting staff quality depth."

   A native of Colombia, Quintana has 11 seasons with 6 different teams to his name in the majors. He has a 3.75 ERA, 3.62 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP, hurling 1,723 2/3 innings while striking out 1,532 hitters, making 289 starts and 26 relief appearances. He has a career 3.86 ERA over 18 2/3 innings in the playoffs, making 4 starts and one relief outing.

   Quintana also brings durability to the Mets rotation, something they have proven to be in need of in recent years. He had 4 straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched from 2013-2016, coinciding with an all star game appearance in 2016. He was also effective while throwing as many innings as he did, posting a 3.35 ERA in that 4 year span. He's also exceeded 165 innings pitched in 8 of the last 10 years.

   Eppler said of the state of the rotation that "I feel pretty good about where it is right now, but still open to adding more. I want to be opportunistic. If we can continue to add impact wherever it is, whether it’s on the mound or whether it’s in the field, we want to stay open to that."

   The addition of Quintana puts him as the 3rd starter in the Mets rotation behind Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Carlos Carrasco and one of either David Peterson or Tylor Megill likely to get the last spot, barring further additions.