Veteran RHP Cal Quantrill is a free agent for the second straight season after the Colorado Rockies non-tendered his contract. Quantrill had an up-and-down season in Colorado in 2024. After four years with the Cleveland Guardians, the veteran starting pitcher signed with Colorado last offseason. In 29 games, Quantrill posted a 4.98 ERA with 110 strikeouts to 69 walks in 148.1 innings.
The league-leading 69 walks was a career-worst mark for Quantrill by a large margin. Per Statcast, Quantrill was in the bottom ten percent of the league in several categories, which included a -14-fastball run value, 5.31 xERA, and .274 xBA. But Quantrill did show some flashes. He was lights out in May, going 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 32 Ks to 9 BBs in 31.2 innings. He was one of the Rockies most reliable starters for much of the season. He is not the first pitcher to have some unsightly surface numbers pitching in Colorado. He ranked third in the Rockies rotation in ERA and strikeouts and second with a 1.7 WAR.
Throughout his career, Quantrill has been a dependable starter, including some stellar seasons in 2021-22 in Cleveland. It would be reasonable to take his control issues 2024 as an outlier due to pitching in Colorado. Quantrill could be a steal this offseason if he replicates the numbers he posted in 2021-22.
You might not have realized it if you were tuned in, but Cal Quantrill had another unbelievable outing.
Cal set down the last 13 hitters he faced.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/kNuAY4QCme
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 23, 2021
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.
Main Photo Credits: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
