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Buster Olney reported earlier the Pirates are "working hard" to get Jose Quintana from the White Sox.  

I'm intrigued.  Quintana isn't a household name, and was the White Sox #2 pitcher last season, but he's pretty good. He is under contract for 2 more seasons making 7 million this year, and 8.8 million next year, with two club options in 2019/2020 for 10.5 million each year.  Quintana is 27 years old, and controllable for 4 years while making a very team-friendly contract.  

Quintana is a left-hander, and was 13-12 last season with a 3.20 ERA and 181 stikeouts in 208 innings. He would have been the Pirates team leader in all four of those categories. He was an All Star this past season as well.  His career ERA is 3.41.  

He would likely cost the Pirates a serious haul of prospects however.  Still, given his talent level and contract parameters he would likely be worth it.  While many might not recognize the name, he was top 10 in the AL in ERA, WHIP, and Innings Pitched last season.  He's pretty good. One of the better left-handed starters in the game right now.  

Pirates need a quality lefty starter so this sounds like a very smart option. Any ideas on what prospects they might be offering? 

It would likely take 2 of the Pirates top 5 prospects.

Any combination of Josh Bell, Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Kevin Newman, and Mitch Keller.


My guess is that the Pirates would prefer to hang onto Austin Meadows the most of those 5 since he slides right into McCutchen's spot.


There's also talks of the Mets interested in McCutchen.  Pirates are still asking a lot of Cutch, as they should.  The Pirates reportedly would want Steven Matz and prospects in return. 

I would hate to lose bell I think he could bring consistent power that the pirates lack somewhat over the years. Looking at those most likely it's Glasnow and bell

The Pirates don't appear to have the stones to pull off a deal like this.  They could have had Chris Sale.  They have the prospects it would take to put themselves in a position to win.  If they don't win they would then have several pieces to trade to get similar prospects back. 

I don't think it gets done either. They are usually reluctant to trade prospects, since they generally are their best assets.

But heck, let's just get real crazy and trade Tyler Glasnow and Josh Bell for Jose Quintana. And trade Cutch for Steven Matz, Michael Conforto, and a prospect.

It will likely take Meadows and Glasnow to get Quintana.  The market is full of Josh Bell types.  Also, if you're going to get Quintana why give up McCutchen to get Michael Conforto and Stephen Matz?  Tyson Ross as a free agent intrigues me.  How far away is Nick Kingham?  Cole-Quintana-Taillon-Kuhl-Hutchison/Brault might be enough to get you to June.

Nick Kingham should pitch for the Pirates this year. Glasnow is definitely one part of any potential Quintana deal. If they can get away with not trading Meadows, that'd be great.

I don't think they'd make BOTH deals, mainly just throwing out crazy ideas. But a rotation of Cole-Quintana-Matz-Taillon and whoever would be really, really good.

Kingham threw 46 innings last year, which isn't too bad. I forgot he was back after missing most of 2015 and 2016. That's a good step. He was on-par with Taillon and Glasnow for a while prospect wise. I think people valued him higher than Chad Kuhl as well.

JMO, if it's me bell and Glasnow stay put no matter what. But I'd let the other 3 go for Quintana . Power too hard to replace, and Bell also plays OF can play a corner well and his high energy personality is needed in clubhouse. And Glasnows stuff is just plain filthy. He struggled a bit but that comes with age, he's going to be real deal