Jose Quintana, a veteran left-handed pitcher, is determined to capture his elusive first World Series title in the upcoming season. Despite reaching the NLCS twice in his career, first with the Cubs in 2017 and again with this season’s Mets, Quintana has yet to make it to the Fall Classic.
A Consistent Performer Seeking the Ultimate Prize
“For another year, I want to try one more time for a championship,” the 35-year-old said after the Mets were knocked out in Game 6 at Dodger Stadium. “This is the closest I’ve been in my career.” There will be interest in the reliable southpaw, who pitched about as expected in two solid seasons in Queens in which he finished with a 3.70 ERA in 44 regular-season starts.
Quintana’s 2024 season was marked by a strong comeback after a challenging first half. With the help of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, Quintana made significant adjustments to his mechanics, leading to improved performance and a dominant second half. His nadir arrived June 9, when his ERA rose to 5.29 and after which manager Carlos Mendoza was prompted to publicly defend Quintana’s spot in the starting group.
A Master of Pitch Location
One of Quintana’s greatest strengths is his ability to induce hitters to chase pitches outside the strike zone. His exceptional command of the strike zone and ability to generate soft contact have made him a valuable asset to any team. In 2024, there were 157 pitchers who logged at least 80 innings pitched. Of those 157, no one threw a lower percentage of pitches that finished inside the strike zone than Quintana (33.7).
A Desirable Free Agent
Quintana’s impressive performance in 2024 has made him a sought-after free agent. His reliability, durability, and postseason experience make him a coveted addition to any pitching rotation. If there were any doubt Quintana remains a major league starter at this stage of his career, he pitched 11 innings without allowing an earned run to the Brewers and the Phillies.
Quintana, who had signed a two-year deal worth $26 million ahead of the 2023 season, again will hit free agency and said he wants to be back in Queens.
No Future with the Mets?
While Quintana expressed a desire to return to the Mets, the team will need to navigate a competitive free agent market to retain his services. His ability to thrive in the high-pressure environment of New York City makes him a valuable asset to the organization. He likes New York Mets, the seventh team he has played for, but understands that the market will have to develop. There are some players who shrivel in the big-market spotlight. Quintana is not among them.
“I love the city. I learned a lot,” Quintana said. “Fans were amazing. A lot intense — I think the fans made me a better pitcher. Sometimes there was a couple boos, and it gave me more adrenaline.” The Mets will have to fill a rotation that will see Quintana, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino hit the open market.
