The Cleveland Guardians closed the 2025 season on a high note. Manager Stephen Vogt’s decision to use a six-man rotation to endure a brutal stretch of 24 games in as many days paid off, and it seems that the team is set with starting pitchers.
However, even the best teams can be improved. While the Guardians have some talent, they don’t have a signature name after they traded Shane Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays.
With that in mind, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicted the Guardians will sign All-Star pitcher Jose Quintana.
“Prediction: One year, $6M with Cleveland Guardians,” Miller wrote. “After a bit of a late start to the year, Quintana played a key role as the veteran of Milwaukee’s staff, winning 11 games and making eight quality starts. He now has a 3.53 ERA in 543.1 innings pitched over the past four years, on par with both Ranger Suarez (3.59 ERA in 588.1 IP) and Seth Lugo (3.51 ERA in 563.1 IP).”
Quintana might not necessarily be at his peak anymore, but the 2016 AL All-Star can still be a big help to this team. He’s a proven veteran, and a team can never have too many left-handed pitchers on the roster.
Of course, signing him would most likely mean that either Parker Messick or Joey Cantillo would open the season in the minors. It could also mean that Cleveland isn’t going to bring back John Means, who didn’t take the mound after spending the season recovering from surgery.
This would be the type of low-risk/high-reward move that the Guardians’ front office usually makes. If it works out, he could stay for more than just one year. If it doesn’t, they can look to trade him for assets before the 2026 deadline.
NEXT: Analyst Has Honest Admission About Stephen Vogt's Second MOTY
