Out of all the remaining White Sox trade assets, Jose Quintana may be the most intriguing. After Chris Sale was moved, Quintana became arguably the best pitcher available through the trade market.
Quintana has been in the MLB for the past five seasons, all with the White Sox. He has appeared in 154 games and 951 innings. Quintana holds a career 46-46 record with a 3.41 ERA and a 781/244 K/BB ratio. He was voted to his first All Star game in 2016.
Quintana is one of the most consistent pitchers in the MLB. He has pitched atleast 200 innings while holding a sub 3.60 ERA the past four seasons.
The White Sox pitcher also has an extremely team-friendly contract. He is making just $7 million in 2017 and is under team control until 2020. Any team acquiring Quintana is getting one of the best pitchers in the league at a discounted rate.
The Astros, Yankees and Pirates have been the most involved on Quintna. While some prospect packages have been thrown out, neither side has been able to agree to terms.
Talks on Quintana has died down, which is likely a direct result of the holidays. But if the White Sox want to move Quintana they’re going to have to find the perfect trade package.
Phil Rogers of MLB.com suggested a new trade proposal that could get a Quintana deal done. While it was purely hypothetical, Rogers asked if Quintana and Todd Frazier would be enough for Pittsburgh Pirates prospects Tyler Glasnow and Josh Bell.
Idle thought: Could @whitesox land switch-hitting prodigy Josh Bell & Tyler Glasnow from Pirates in deal for Quintana & Todd Frazier?
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) January 3, 2017
@whitesox want Austin Meadows in Jose Quintana deal but Josh Bell also fits the need for young hitters w/big upside.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) January 3, 2017
Glasnow is the Pirates best prospect and the eigth best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. He has appeared in 103 minor league games. Glasnow holds a 36-19 record with a 2.03 ERA and a 645/246 K/BB ratio.
Glasnow would be one of the team’s aces of the future. With pitching prospects Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech and Reynaldo Lopez already in the organization, Glasnow would give the White Sox one of the deadliest pitching rotations whenever the prospects are ready.
Bell is the Pirates third best prospect and the 20th best prospect in baseball. Bell has appeared in 45 major league games. He hit .273 with three homeruns and 19 RBIs.
Bell was absolutely dominant in the minors, hitting 44 homeruns. On the White Sox he would likely be the team’s first baseman of the future. He is one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues.
Both Glasnow and Bell would be amazing additions by the White Sox. They are both one of the best prospects at their position. Chicago would have three aces in Giolito, Kopech and Glasnow and an improving infield of Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Josh Bell.
However Rogers trade proposal has some holes.
Bell and Glasnow is a decent prospect package for Quintana alone. Adding a 40 homerun hitter in Frazier would only add value. While Bell and Glasnow are top prospects, Quintana is sure to demand a high return.
Frazier may be an upcoming free agent, but he isn’t a throw away. He is still a valuable piece to the White Sox or any team acquiring him. The Pirates would have to add more prospects to acquire both Quintana and Frazier.
While Frazier/Quintana for Bell/Glasnow doesn’t make much sense, Rogers is right in pointing out that Frazier could be a fit on the Pirates. Pittsburgh hasn’t really been connected to Frazier, however they could be in the market for another power hitter in the lineup.
Currently David Freese is slated to play third base for the team. But if Pittsburgh moves Bell they can slide Freese to first and put Frazier at third, adding an extra 30+ homeruns to their lineup.
The Pirates would have to up the anti to get both Quintana and Frazier, but they’re definitely a fit for both players.
Look for the Pirates to remain one of the more active teams trying to trade for Jose Quintana, and perhaps they could enter the Todd Frazier sweepstakes late. But for both to head to the Pittsburgh, the White Sox will need more than just Tyler Glasnow and Josh Bell.
Feel free to continue the coversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
