Tom Brennan - Jose Quintana?? Paul Gervase Update, too

 Jose Quintana 

We all saw him last year.  Strong finish to his season.

And 2 strong post-season outings before the Dodgers beat him up in his 3rd PS outing.  But the Dodgers are the Dodgers, then there is everyone else.

We have two starters down for indeterminate periods.

Should we therefore get Quintana back?

Well, we know that his added salary would boost Cohen's luxury tax by $5 million or so.

And reports are Manaea's injury in particular is not that serious.

Quintana has pitched poorly against Atlanta in his career (6.62) and D Backs (7.44), but the Braves don't face the Mets until June - but the D Backs do, in April.

Overall, in his career, he has a slightly better ERA (.370) against .500+ teams than sub-.500 teams, which is good.

His worst ERA month in his career unfortunately is April (4.30 ERA), the month the Mets need him the most.  

He is Whitey Ford in July, though (23-9, 3.14 career).

And one vital stat - he is age 36.  

And he is just 19-26 combined over his last 5 years 2020-24.

My conclusion?  

Absent any further starter injuries, I think the distance between Quintana and the nine years younger Max Kranick, and the likely return in late April by Manaea likely makes it prudent to pass on adding $11 million or so in Quintana salary and taxes.  Don't panic, go with Kranick.

Of course, if Cohen and Stearns get Quintana after all, I won't complain.

PAUL GERVASE

The Mets traded 6'10" high strikeout reliever Paul Gervase to Tampa  - mistake?  I was sorry to see him go.  Wrote about him a lot.

Yesterday, though, he threw 1.2 innings for the Rays, allowing 2 hits, 5 walks, and 4 runs.  One game does not a career make. 

Sometimes, though, it can sooth your nerves over the departure of a favored prospect in a trade, when you see a box score that shows him getting shellacked.