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MLB power rankings: Best player on each team

By Brad Berreman

Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago White Sox: SP Jose Quintana

Quintana is off to a bad start this season, with a 6.75 ERA over three starts (17.1 innings), but his place here is based on more than that small sample. He has pitched at least 200 innings in four straight full seasons, with at least 32 starts each season and an ERA no higher than 3.51.

Wins have been elusive, pitching for an at-best mediocre White Sox squad, but Quintana earned his first All-Star selection last year on his way to a career-high 13 wins and a career-best 3.20 ERA. If you’re looking for a top test case on the de-valuation of wins to determine a starting pitcher’s broader impact and value, look no further than Quintana. He is one of the most underrated pitchers around, as evidenced by his combined WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 18.0 (via Baseball Reference) from 2013-2016.

Quintana has been the subject of trade rumors, and the White Sox appear open to dealing him as they move forward with a youth movement. A rough start to 2017 is obviously not helping his trade value, but there’s plenty time for Quintana to turn things around before the trade deadline. The White Sox are surely hoping for improvement, even if it’s just to bolster the return in a trade and/or entice a bidding war between multiple contending teams.

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