Veteran pitcher José Quintana has agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, worth $4.25 million, and includes potential bonuses up to $1 million.
This information was revealed by a source familiar with the negotiations, who wished to remain anonymous as the official announcement has not yet been made public. Reports originally surfacing from FanSided noted the contract agreement with the Brewers.
The 36-year-old left-hander wrapped up the 2024 season with the New York Mets, posting a record of 10 wins and 10 losses, along with a 3.75 ERA over 31 starts.
Quintana tallied 135 strikeouts and 63 walks throughout 170 1/3 innings. His performance in the final six starts of the regular season was remarkable, as he conceded just four runs—three of which were earned—over 36 1/3 innings.
Notably, Quintana was the starting pitcher in the decisive game of the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers for the Mets, where he delivered six scoreless innings in what resulted in a 4-2 win for New York, although he didn’t factor into the decision.
In the postseason, he made three starts and allowed six runs, five of them earned, across 14 1/3 innings.
In Milwaukee, Quintana will vie for a place in a rotation featuring right-arm talents such as Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, and Aaron Civale.
The Brewers, reigning NL Central champions in back-to-back seasons, have bolstered their roster by acquiring left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes from the New York Yankees through a trade involving pitcher Devin Williams.
Given injuries plaguing their current roster, the Brewers eagerly seek rotation depth. Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff is still recovering from shoulder surgery that kept him out for the entirety of the 2024 season and isn’t expected back by season’s start.
Additionally, Robert Gasser’s return from Tommy John surgery isn’t anticipated until later in the year.
Furthermore, more challenges emerged for the team when Aaron Ashby, a left-hander also contending for a rotation position, exited his game against the Cincinnati Reds due to an injury.
The team’s representative mentioned that Ashby might have an oblique issue, and he is scheduled for an MRI to assess the injury further.
Once José Quintana debuts with the Brewers, he will have had the distinction of pitching for every team within the NL Central division.
His career path includes stints with the Chicago Cubs from 2017 to 2020, and a 2022 season split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.
Quintana has a career record of 102-103 with an ERA of 3.74 across 359 games, 333 of which were starts.
His timeline in professional baseball also features appearances with the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Angels, the San Francisco Giants, and the Mets.
His career highlights include an All-Star selection in 2016.
