Sources: Mets fill rotation need with Quintana
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Jeff PassanESPN
Left-hander Jose Quintana and the New York Mets are in agreement on a two-year, $26 million contract, sources told ESPN, filling a gap in the team’s rotation as it barrels toward the largest payroll in baseball history.
Quintana, 33, was brilliant for the St. Louis Cardinals after Pittsburgh sent him there in a trade deadline deal, posting a 2.01 ERA and allowing just one home run over 62⅔ innings.
He’s expected to slot into the rotation spot vacated by Taijuan Walker, who agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract on Tuesday with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies, sources told ESPN.
The Mets, whose competitive-balance tax payroll currently clocks in around $298 million after the signings of Quintana and new co-ace Justin Verlander, still plan to add players, according to sources. Free agents from last year’s team include center fielder Brandon Nimmo and right-hander Chris Bassitt, and they’ve shown significant interest in right-hander Kodai Senga, a free agent who has starred in Japan for the last decade.
After spending the end of a disappointing 2021 season as a reliever, Quintana found his prime self with the Pirates after signing a one-year, $2 million contract. While he averaged barely over five innings a start, Quintana had the lowest home run rate in the National League in 2022 and a nearly 3-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Over his 11-year career, during which he has played for six teams, Quintana is 89-87 with a 3.75 ERA, 1,532 strikeouts and 504 walks over 1,723⅔ innings pitched.
NEW YORK — The Mets will honor the 60th anniversary of the Fab Four’s performance at Shea Stadium, where they will host the Mariners on Aug. 15 for The Beatles Night at Citi Field.
The 1965 performance was a milestone because The Beatles became the first rock band to perform a major stadium concert. A 50-minute documentary titled “The Beatles at Shea Stadium” captured the show. At the time, the multipurpose stadium was home to the Mets and New York Jets.
The celebration will begin with a performance by 1964 the Tribute in front of Shea Bridge at 6:15 p.m. ET. The first 15,000 fans to enter Citi Field will receive an exclusive Shea Stadium replica.
The first pitch will be thrown by members of the game-day staff who worked the famous concert. A themed fireworks show will be held after the game.
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