Chicago White Sox: How Valuable Are Their Trade Pieces?
By Jeremy Karll
Jose Quintana
There’s good reason to believe that the player the White Sox have refused to trade for all these years could be on a different team soon. It doesn’t seem likely that the White Sox will trade him before Opening Day, but there’s no doubt they’re looking hard and will jump at an offer similar to what they received for Chris Sale/Adam Eaton.
If there is a time to trade Quintana, now would be the time. His stock has never been higher, and likely never will be.
Quintana made his first All-Star appearance last season after throwing 208 innings, striking out 181 batters, and owning a 3.20 ERA and 1.163 WHIP. He followed it up with a stellar performance in the World Baseball Classic with Colombia, in which he no-hit Team USA for 5.2 innings. It’s hard not to believe in the 28-year-old left-hander after he dismantled an All-Star lineup.
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He is also under team control through 2020, with his salary never exceeding $12 million. It’s very possible that Quintana could still improve, but his contract is still a bargain for a pitcher who has thrown 200-plus innings in four straight seasons and has had a sub-3.40 ERA in the past three seasons.
The biggest “concern” about Quintana is whether he can be a team’s ace. He will get a chance to prove whether he can this season with the White Sox, which could help drive up his price. Right now, he’d make a solid No. 2 on any team and an extraordinary No. 3.
Trade Value: Extremely High