Veteran Starting Pitcher Looking To Rebound With New Team

Cal Quantrill Looks To Bounce Back With New Team

Potential Landing Spots

Minnesota Twins

The Twins were on track for the postseason before a late-season collapse doomed them. Minnesota likely will not be in the market for an ace as they have a solid starting pitching trio of Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, and Joe Ryan. But they could be interested in a middle to back-end starter, and Quantrill could fit that role.

Chris Paddack has played only 24 games in the past three seasons combined. Quantrill posted comparable numbers to Paddack in 2024 while pitching at Coors Field in half of his games. He has experience in the American League Central, posting stellar seasons in 2021-22. If a change of scenery helps Quantrill lower his walk rate back to his career average and he can replicate the success he had in the AL Central before shoulder injuries ruined his 2023, he could be a steal for the Twins.

Athletics

The Athletics have indicated that they are interested in upgrading their starting pitching. As a team that never spends a lot in free agency, they will likely be looking in the second or third tier of starting pitchers. Per Spotrac, Quantrill’s market value is set at $12.3 million, and he is the 43rd-ranked starting pitcher.

The A’s were 25th in Major League Baseball with a team ERA of 4.37. Quantrill would be a valuable veteran starting pitcher for the A’s young rotation during their rebuild.  He talked in 2024 about his want to succeed with the Rockies because they had no expectations. He would be in a similar situation with the Athletics as one of their top starters and could build his value on a short-term deal to line himself up for a bigger payday with a contender in 2026.

Atlanta Braves

If the Braves fail to bring back Max Fried or Charlie Morton, Quantrill could be a cheaper, low-risk, high-reward option. Quantrill has shown in his career that he can be a dependable starter. In 2022, he led the Guardians with 15 wins and recorded a 3.38 ERA with 128 Ks to 47 BBs in 186.1 innings. If the Braves get a performance close to 2022 from Quantrill, he could slot in nicely in the middle of their rotation.

Quantrill had improved durability in 2024 after an injury-plagued 2023. In three out of the last four seasons, Quantrill has pitched at least 148 innings. He would not have to be the main option in Atlanta and could be relied upon as a middle-to-back-end veteran starting pitcher who could eat innings if the injury bug strikes Atlanta again.