Oct 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jose Quintana (62) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game four of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Ex-Mets starter Jose Quintana changes course on WBC qualifier

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI | By Troy Brock | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 11:00 AM ET

Could a major league deal be imminent for New York Mets' free agent target Jose Quintana?

It has been an interesting offseason across MLB, to say the least. While the free agent market expectedly took a slow burn approach as teams awaited the decision of superstar Juan Soto, it has also taken an immense amount of time for some veterans to find new homes. There are still multiple veterans coming off of fantastic seasons that are sitting home without a contract.

Quintana, 36, is one of those veterans. After pitching to a 3.75 ERA in 2024, his second season with the Mets, he still does not have a team he can call home. That could be changing sooner rather than later, however, after the lefty sat out Colombia's World Baseball Classic Qualifying game, a contest he was originally slated to start for his home country.

Colombia won their first game of the WBC qualifier with former Mets playing key roles:

—Julio Teherán 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
—Ezequiel Zabaleta 1 IP, 0 R, 2 K
—Dilson Herrera 2-for-3, 2 2B, BB

José Quintana was supposed to start this game but decided not to participate.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 3, 2025

It is not as if the veteran has not received offers. The Pittsburgh Pirates offered Quintana a deal larger than one year, $5.25 million. Quintana turned the offer down, and the Pirates pivoted to Andrew Heaney, who received the $5.25 million for his services in 2025.

This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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