Milwaukee, WI - The Milwaukee Brewers made headlines this week by signing veteran left-hander Jose Quintana to a one-year deal valued between $4 million and $5 million, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. This move is significant for the Brewers as they look to bolster their pitching rotation for the upcoming 2025 season.
At 36 years old, Quintana arrives with impressive credentials from his recent tenure with the New York Mets, where he proved to be both reliable and dependable. Over the last season, Quintana made 31 starts, accumulating 170 ⅓ innings with a commendable 3.75 ERA, marking him as one of the more consistent arms available this offseason.
Last year, Quintana's performance statistics culminated in giving him 2.5 Wins Above Replacement (WAR); nevertheless, he faced some challenges as he allowed 22 home runs, his highest since 2018, which raised eyebrows among analysts. His walk rate also saw increases, yet these metrics did not overshadow the value he brought to the Mets' pitching staff, particularly during the latter half of the season.
Quintana experienced strong success during stretches, particularly from May 16 to July 9, where he achieved an impressive 2.77 ERA over ten starts. His late-season form was highlighted by six consecutive starts with distinct effectiveness, where he held opponents to just one earned run across 11 innings during the playoffs against teams like the Brewers and Phillies, putting his pitching acumen on full display.
While thoughts of Quintana as being a 'Brewers killer' have frequently graced the discourse surrounding the matchup between him and Milwaukee, it is interesting to note his historic performance against the team. Boasting a career 2.98 ERA across 23 regular-season games against the Brewers, Quintana has proved to be both formidable yet occasionally fallible as he has not secured a victory over this franchise since 2019.
Despite the tag of 'Brewers nemesis' during his time with the Chicago Cubs and more recently with the Mets, Quintana’s effectiveness has considerably changed over the years. His record against the Brewers from 2012-2018 showed brilliance, but recent encounters reflected more vulnerability, especially after he allowed six earned runs over just 14 innings against them last season.
Now, as Quintana joins the Brewers, he aims to provide depth to their starting rotation, which currently includes high-caliber pitchers like Freddy Peralta, Nestor Cortes, Tobias Myers, and Aaron Civale. Quintana's history with opposing teams and dependable arm may prove invaluable, especially as the Brewers manage health concerns with pitchers like Brandon Woodruff and DL Hall who are recovering from injuries.
The timing of Quintana's signing aligns perfectly with the Brewers' strategic offseason approach, which has included late-bargain acquisitions. The franchise has gradually developed its pitching staff through similar routes, allowing flexibility and depth to handle the rigors of the long season. Quintana’s experience and ability to log innings fit seamlessly within this philosophy.
Brewers fans are hopeful this latest acquisition will add meaningful depth for the upcoming season, particularly as anticipation builds for opening day against the New York Yankees on March 27, 2025. The season offers plenty of excitement, and with Quintana on board, the Brewers are positioning themselves competitively within the Central Division.
Overall, Jose Quintana's addition to the Brewers signals more than just another offseason signing; it exemplifies Milwaukee's commitment to enhancing their bid for postseason contention. Given his proven track record and recent performances, this seasoned lefty certainly provides the team with experience and stability they are eager to leverage. With pitchers like Quintana now part of the rotation, the Brewers appear primed to tackle the challenges of the 2025 season head-on, striving for new successes down the road.