Jose Quintana choosing rival for less than Pirates’ reported offer is bizarre

Now knowing that the Pirates are for sure going to be without Johan Oviedo to start the season, it makes sense that they felt the need to add a veteran starter to the rotation. They examined multiple options, too, including a reunion with Jose Quintana, but he reportedly declined their offer. Instead, Pittsburgh pivoted by deciding to go with Andrew Heaney, who signed a one-year deal worth $5.25 million.

What is so crazy about this situation was that reports indicated Quintana was actually offered more money than the Pirates gave Heaney, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. Clearly, the Pirates felt really strongly about bringing him back to Pittsburgh. Obviously, he declined it, seeking more money and eventually worked out a deal with the Brewers.

The catch here is thatMilwaukee gave him a guarantee of only $4.25 million.

That situation is truly wild, as he could have at least made over a million more dollars if he signed with Pittsburgh, a team that got the best out of him just a few years back. Now, the Pirates are going to have to face him a few times in 2025 when they face off against one of their NL Central rivals.

Quintana evidently got in his own way in search of more money. Maybe he wanted to return to the Mets and thought there was a significant chance it could happen following the injuries of Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, but they did not want to add another starter.

Jose Quintana turned down the Pirates' reported offer of more money than the contract he signed with the Brewers.

Getting Quintana back in the rotation definitely would have helped the Pirates, especially given his solid 2024, in which he posted an ERA of 3.75 with a 4.56 FIP and a WHIP of 1.25. Even at his older age, he still gets it done, which was not the case prior to him signing with Pittsburgh back in 2022. Oscar Marin revived his career, as Quintana appeared to be on the decline.

Pirates fans should definitely be content with Heaney, as he is still a solid addition to the rotation. Quintana would have been a safer option, but Ben Cherington did all he could to sign him and it just clearly could not get done.

Quintana could have very well had more money in Pittsburgh than he ended up with in Milwaukee, but that is on him. Very bizarre how this situation unfolded, and a bit unfortunate that he ended up with a rival.