Jose Quintana’s goal for the 2025 season is crystal clear: a championship trophy. After coming close to winning the World Series, he is set to return for his 14th Major League season, hoping to fulfill a dream that remains unachieved.
Impressive Tenure with the Mets
Quintana had two stable seasons in New York, posting a 3.70 ERA over 44 appearances in the regular season. Despite reaching the NLCS twice—once with the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and once with the Mets—he has yet to play in the final game of the season. “I want to try once more to get that trophy,” Quintana said after the Mets were eliminated in Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. “This is the closest I’ve been to that in my career.”
Significant Development
Under pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, Quintana made notable improvements after a challenging start to the season. By mid-June, his ERA had climbed to 5.29, casting doubt on his spot in the starting rotation. However, with adjustments to his pitching technique, he excelled at forcing opponents to swing at pitches outside the strike zone, showcasing his breakout potential.
Among the 157 pitchers with at least 80 innings pitched in the 2024 season, no one had a lower strike percentage than Quintana (33.7%). Despite this, he achieved a stellar 2.77 ERA in 18 games from mid-June to the end of the season, ranking 11th among qualified pitchers.
Looking Ahead
Quintana, who signed a two-year, $26 million contract before the 2023 season, will once again enter free agency and has expressed a desire to return to New York. He loves the city and feels that the competitive environment has helped him grow as a pitcher. “I love this city. The fans are amazing and have helped me become a better pitcher,” he stated.
The Mets will need to refresh their pitching lineup as Quintana, Sean Manaea, and Luis Severino are all set to hit the market. Nevertheless, Quintana is eager to return, holding onto the belief that one day he will have the chance to conquer the World Series championship trophy. “One day I will get that opportunity,” he affirmed.
