- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Inbox: Is Quintana a possibility for rotation?
- Updated: January 3, 2017
Any buzz on [Jose] Quintana or is that fading into the background at this point? Would love to have the top four set going to Florida. — @scubaguy08
The holiday season is typically quiet throughout baseball, and this past week or so was no exception. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the Pirates and Yankees were the “most aggressive” clubs in their pursuit of Quintana, and that was about it.
• Submit an Inbox question
While discussing the Ivan Nova signing last week, general manager Neal Huntington said the Pirates like their current rotation, but they would be open to another addition if it makes sense. Quintana could help them for the next four years, but the White Sox — dealing from a position of strength — will set the price justifiably high.
Keep in mind: The Rays asked for two of the Pirates’ top-five prospects at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, so start any Quintana deal there and keep adding. You could make the argument for dealing Tyler Glasnow if they get a controllable starter in return. But could they part with Glasnow along with Austin Meadows, Josh Bell, Mitch Keller or Kevin Newman, plus a few other prospects? That’s tough.
Meadows is Andrew McCutchen’s most likely successor. Bell is their first baseman of the present and future. Keller is a rising star and could be MLB-ready by the time Gerrit Cole and Nova reach free agency. Newman is moving quickly, and he looks like their future shortstop. It’s hard to replace players like that.
Quintana makes perfect sense for them, and I understand the desire for a rotation fronted by Cole, Quintana, Jameson Taillon and Nova. But it’s all about finding an acceptable deal for both sides, and obviously it hasn’t happened yet. Stay tuned.
Does it make sense to try to get [Brian] Dozier? — @NHPain
It makes sense in the same way Quintana does for every club: Good players make any team better. Dozier, …
