The Colorado Rockies officially announced the acquisition of starting pitcher Cal Quantrill through a trade with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.
Earlier in the week, the Guardians designated Quantrill for assignment as part of the finalization of their 40-man roster. Prior to Quantrill hitting waivers, the Rockies initiated a trade, sending minor league catcher Kody Huff to Cleveland in exchange for the talented pitcher.
To create space for Quantrill on their 40-man roster, the Rockies designated right-handed pitcher Tommy Doyle for assignment.
Quantrill had been a consistent figure in the Guardians’ rotation for the past three seasons, but he faced a downturn in performance in 2023. The right-hander concluded the season with a 4-7 record, a 5.24 ERA, a 1.465 WHIP, 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings, and a -0.1 WAR. Additionally, he spent time on the injured list twice due to shoulder inflammation.
Cleveland originally acquired Quantrill from the San Diego Padres in 2020, four years after he was selected as the No. 8 overall pick in the MLB Draft. The Guardians obtained Quantrill as part of a trade that sent starting pitcher Mike Clevinger to San Diego, involving six players in total.
From 2020 to 2022, Quantrill progressed from the bullpen to the starting rotation, delivering consistently impressive performances. During this period, he achieved a 25-8 record with a 3.08 ERA, a 1.196 WHIP, and a 6.4 WAR, establishing himself as a valuable asset.
If Quantrill can rediscover his previous form in 2024, the Rockies are poised to benefit from much-needed support to their pitching staff. In 2023, no pitcher who started more than four games for Colorado posted an ERA lower than 5.00. The team, finishing last in the NL West, had the highest ERA, worst WHIP, and worst batting average against of any team in baseball.
With two more years of team control remaining, Quantrill is expected to command a reasonable salary for a potential top-end starter, contingent on arbitration outcomes. In 2023, the right-hander earned $5.5 million.