Mets: 5 under the radar trade deadline candidates

Mets trade candidate: Jose Quintana keeps outperforming expectations.

I’m not sure what many folks expected from Jose Quintana when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed the left-hander to a one-year/$2M contract during the offseason. But after being designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants last season, it’s safe to say very few thought he’d be among the best starts in the National League.

Quintana ranks sixth among all NL starting pitchers in ERA (2.32). In his 10 starts, the southpaw has 41 strikeouts over 50.1 innings of work. While Quintana has walked 18 batters, he’s done a very good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark.

The Mets are currently without three of their top starting pitchers. While Carlos Carrasco and Tijuan Walker have been great during the first two months of the season, you have to wonder if that duo can maintain that level of excellence throughout the entire season.

The New York Mets need to add a starter sometime between now and the trade deadline. If the Mets do not want to give up what’s it going to take to get a player like Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, or Frankie Montas, perhaps they’ll be willing to negotiate with the Pittsburgh Pirates.