The Colorado Rockies have the chance to hit a new franchise low this season. With only 38 wins on the year, it has been clear for a few months now that this team needs some major help with both their offense and their pitching staff. While the offense has had its bright moments, the pitching staff as a whole has been horrendous. By far, the best pitcher on the roster has been 29-year-old starter Cal Quantrill. Even with the Rockies trembling, Quantrill has been the team’s most valuable pitcher, and always gives the team the best chance to get a win. Unfortunately, barring an unlikely extension, it seems Cal Quantrill won’t be staying with the team for long, as the Rockies may end up trading him before the MLB Trade Deadline.
Rockies Will Listen To Offers On Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber https://t.co/FIGsWIArjR pic.twitter.com/Wmb0XAPtXZ
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 3, 2024
Rockies Starter Cal Quantrill Unlikely To Sign Contract Extension
The Rockies ace is being paid $6.5 million this season. He has one more year of dealing with salary arbitration before becoming a free agent at the end of the 2025 regular season. There’s that chance Quantrill could be traded before this year’s deadline. If not, he’ll remain in Colorado for one more season, where the talks of an extension could take off again. This all depends on how the Rockies’ management feels about the team’s positioning in the next few seasons. They may want to go younger and promote their future promising prospects to the next level. This team is looking for their future cornerstone pieces within their rotation and bullpen. While it may be wise to bring Quantrill back, it depends on whether Colorado can get more worth by trading him.
Quantrill has started in 21 games for the Rockies this season. He’s put up a 7-7 record. In 114 1/3 innings pitched, the 29-year-old starter has recorded an ERA of 4.09. He has allowed 53 runs on 110 hits while striking out 86 batters. Through nine starts at Coors Field, he has a 3.29 ERA. Quantrill has been traded twice thus far in his career. He was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland Guardians during the 2020 regular season. Then, he was traded from Cleveland to the Rockies last offseason. Quantrill is no stranger to being traded, but wants to remain with the team. However, while he certainly has an interest in staying, he also likely wants to play on a contending team. That presents an issue, with the Rockies far from contending.
What Will The Rockies Do With Quantrill?
If Quantrill does not get traded by the trade deadline, expect him to want to stay with the Rockies next season. Yet, if he does get traded, the team will most likely look to acquire a pitching prospect who has the potential talent to change the culture in Denver. At this point, the Rockies may look to contend for the number one pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. There would be no reason to keep Quantrill if he’s looking to play on a contending ball club. While it will hurt the team’s play in every way imaginable, for the time being, the Rockies’ best bet is to trade their 29-year-old starter away.
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