Pirates in the mix for White Sox lefty Quintana

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates’ offseason has been dominated by rumors of who they might deal — namely, Andrew McCutchen — but Wednesday morning brought word that the Bucs are in on one of the best available starting pitchers.

The Pirates have “worked hard” to trade for White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. The White Sox are aggressively rebuilding this winter, having already traded ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox and outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals. Each deal yielded a huge haul of prospects, and there’s no doubt the White Sox would require a similar package to part with Quintana.

Quintana is a natural fit for the Pirates, looking to bolster their rotation after a disappointing season. He is durable, having averaged 32 starts and 204 innings over the past four years. He has been effective, posting a 3.35 ERA and an 18.1 baseball-reference WAR during that span.

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He is also young — he’ll turn 28 in January — and affordable, due $15.85 million over the next two seasons with club options for 2019 ($10.5 million) and ’20 ($11.5 million). His $7 million salary in 2017 would fit within the constraints of the Bucs’ projected $100 million payroll, while dramatically improving their chances of returning to the postseason.

This past season, Quintana — long considered one of the game’s most underrated pitchers — posted a 13-12 record with a 3.20 ERA in 208 innings while finishing fourth in the American League with 5.2 WAR.

The Pirates could slot the All-Star lefty between right-handers Gerrit Cole …

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