Jason Burgos
One of the New York Mets starters has gotten a surprising amount of trade interest from rival teams, and it is actually not future Hall-of-Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.
Despite the deepest hopes and wishes of the New York Mets’ front office, this year’s team is not a serious playoff contender. They are currently six games under .500, have zero chance of winning the National League East, and are a whopping seven games out of the final Wild Card spot.
In general, this has been a disastrous season for what is the most expensive roster in MLB history. That is why if the organization has any sense, they will be sellers at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. As the team gets closer to that date, it is expected that impending free agents like David Robertson and Tommy Pham will be wearing different uniforms to start August but the team’s starting rotation may offer the best possible trade chips.
Some around the league believe the New York Mets should listen to offers for expensive veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Since both are seen as the type of players that could be a major difference maker for a title contender. However, while that may be true it seems a different starter is drawing more trade interest heading into next week.
New York Mets starter Jose Quintana is being scouted by teams ahead of trade deadline
On Thursday, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino revealed that “clubs have also been scouting [veteran Jose] Quintana through his five-game rehab assignment and impressive Mets debut on Thursday, when he allowed two runs on six hits in five innings, striking out three and walking none.”
The one-time All-Star was one of the three starters the team signed in the offseason. However, the 34-year-old has missed all of the season after going surgery for a rib injury in March. Following a strong season with the NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals, Quintana likely would have proven very beneficial for the New York Mets if he was healthy this season.
- Jose Quintana stats (2022): 3-2 W-L, 2.01 ERA, 1.117 WHIP, 48 SO, 62.2 IP
However, it looks like he will now be a part of their great sell-off of 2023 since he has value as a good middle-of-the-rotation starter and only has one year and $13 million left on his contract.
