Let’s talk about José Quintana. Spring training is rolling, rosters are shaping up, and yet, here we are—Quintana is still sitting on the free-agent market, waiting for the right team to call his number. And guess what? The Atlanta Braves might just be that team.
According to MLB insider Héctor Gómez, Atlanta is among the clubs showing interest in the veteran lefty. Now, does this mean a deal is imminent? Not necessarily.
But with the Braves still in the market for starting pitching depth, it’s not hard to see why this connection is being made.
Quintana’s Mixed Results in New York
Quintana has spent the last two seasons with the Mets, where he found himself in a bigger role than expected.
Injuries and underperformance elsewhere in New York’s rotation pushed him into some key innings.
In 2023, he held up pretty well—posting a 3.57 ERA with a solid 3.52 FIP across 75.1 innings. Not bad, right?
But then 2024 came along, and while he still managed to eat up 170.1 innings, the cracks started to show. His ERA crept up to 3.75, and his FIP ballooned to 4.56.
That’s a clear sign that while he’s still capable, he’s not quite the same pitcher he once was.
A Logical Fit for Atlanta’s Rotation
Now, would this be a blockbuster signing for the Braves? No, of course not. But that’s not the point.
A team like Atlanta isn’t looking for an ace—they’ve got Spencer Strider and Chris Sale for that.
They need a dependable back-end starter who can chew up innings without getting absolutely shelled. And that’s exactly what Quintana can do.
He’s not going to rack up strikeouts or light up the radar gun, but if he can keep the ball on the ground and avoid getting squared up too often, he can absolutely hold down a spot in a contender’s rotation.
What Will It Take For Braves to Sign Him?
The money? Well, that’s where things get interesting. Gómez also reported that Quintana and the Pirates were closing in on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
If that’s the going rate, you can bet other teams will take notice—because at that price, getting a veteran lefty who can soak up 150+ innings is a bargain.
So, what happens next? We wait. Quintana might have options, but if the Braves are serious about adding to their rotation, he’s a guy worth considering.
Will we see him in a Braves uniform by Opening Day? We’ll find out soon enough.
