Rangers must consider signing perfect back-end rotation option after latest buzz

Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young has made it clear that adding pitching is the team's main priority, as DLLS Sports' Jeff Wilson reported last month that the team is looking to add a starting pitcher.

One starter the Rangers must consider signing is lefty José Quintana, whom the Rangers have shown interest in, per MLB insider Héctor Gómez.

José Quintana would be a perfect back-end rotation option for Rangers

Quintana, who turns 37 in two days, is known for his consistency on the mound. In 24 starts with the Milwaukee Brewers last season, the southpaw posted a 3.96 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 50 walks across 131 2/3 innings. He had a sub-4.00 ERA in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as well. He made 100 starts from 2022-25, managing a 3.53 ERA with 421 strikeouts and 184 walks across 543 1/3 innings. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, then pitched for the New York Mets from 2023-24. The Mets are also reportedly interested in signing Quintana, according to Gómez.

Quintana, who was named Team Colombia's captain for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2012. He posted 21.2 bWAR and a 3.51 ERA in parts of six seasons with the White Sox before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs for a package headlined by righty Dylan Cease and left fielder Eloy Jimenez.

Quintana stayed with the Cubs through the 2020 season, posting 3.6 bWAR and a 4.24 ERA during his time with Chicago's National League team. He spent the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Angels and San Fransicso Giants, struggling with a 6.43 ERA. It seemed as if his career could be nearing the end after the 2021 campaign, but he quickly turned things around upon signing with the Pirates in the 2021-22 offseason.

Barring injuries, the Rangers' Opening Day rotation will be headlined by righties Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter. As of now, the final two spots will most likely go to righty Kumar Rocker and lefty Jacob Latz. One of the two will be the odd man out if the Rangers add another starter, which is expected. Additionally, lefty Cody Braford is expected to return in May.

If the Rangers can sign Quintana to an affordable one-year deal, they should do it. Injuries are inevitable, so adding an established veteran like Quintana would help ensure the team has plenty of much-needed pitching depth. Then, if the Rangers' postseason hopes are out the window once the trade deadline nears, they can deal the lefty for prospects.