The Chicago White Sox seem determined to get a Jose Quintana trade done before the start of the season.
Jim Bowden of ESPN reports on Wednesday that the White Sox continue to work on moving the All-Star left-hander and could have a deal done before Opening Day with the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves being mentioned as the likeliest possibilities.
#WhiteSox continue to work hard on Jose Quintana trade that could happen before opening day with Astros & Braves appear best possibilities
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) March 22, 2017
The White Sox have been dangling the 28-year-old Quintana for seemingly the entire offseason and have drawn interest from a number of other teams as well. Quintana is due to make $15.85 million over the next two seasons, and his deal comes with club options for both 2019 and 2020.
The Astros have little lefty depth behind ace Dallas Keuchel (who himself regressed badly in 2016), and the Braves need rotation help wherever they can get it as they will be relying heavily on 42-year-old R.A. Dickey and 43-year-old Bartolo Colon this season. The White Sox already dealt Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox in December, so it’s no secret that Quintana is very available.
