Chicago Cubs

Cubs Make Roster Move, Pick Up 2020 Contract Option on José Quintana

Quintana will make $10.5 million next season, the final year of his contract

The Chicago Cubs announced Saturday that they have picked up the 2020 club contract option on starting pitcher José Quintana.

Quintana, whom the Cubs acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a 2017 trade, is set to make $10.5 million in the 2020 season, the final year of his contract. He will hit unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the season.

During the 2019 season, the left-handed hurler posted a 13-9 record and a 4.68 ERA in 32 starts for the Cubs. He struck out 152 batters in 171 innings of work in his third season for the Cubs.

The Cubs could still potentially trade Quintana during the offseason, but for the moment he will slot into a rotation that could undergo some changes as Jon Lester enters the final year of his contract and as Cole Hamels hits the free agent market.

The Cubs made another roster decision on Saturday as well, declining the 2020 option on relief pitcher Derek Holland. Acquired from the Giants ahead of the MLB trade deadline over the summer, Holland struggled with the Cubs, posting a 6.89 ERA in 20 appearances. He gave up three home runs and walked 10 batters in 15.2 innings of work.

Holland would have been due $6.5 million for next season if the Cubs had picked up his option, but instead the team will pay him $500,000 and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.

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