The Colorado Rockies are making it clear: last season’s 6.65 ERA from their starting rotation isn’t going to fly again. After finishing dead last in that department across all of Major League Baseball, the front office has taken a proactive approach this offseason, bringing in a trio of veteran arms to stabilize the rotation and give the team a fighting chance in 2026.
The latest addition is left-hander José Quintana, who’s reportedly finalizing a one-year deal. At 37 years old and entering his 15th big league season, Quintana brings a wealth of experience-and a track record of consistency-to a rotation that desperately needed it.
He’s set to pitch for his ninth MLB team, and while he may not be the frontline ace he once was, he remains a dependable innings-eater. Last season, he went 11-7 with a 3.96 ERA over 24 starts, logging 131.2 innings and striking out 89.
That kind of steady presence could be exactly what the Rockies need.
Quintana joins a revamped rotation that now includes fellow newcomers Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano. Lorenzen signed earlier this offseason on a one-year, $8 million deal, while Sugano-a longtime star in Japan’s NPB-inked a one-year, $5.1 million contract.
Add in returning arms like Kyle Freeland, Ryan Feltner, and top prospect Chase Dollander, and suddenly manager Warren Schaeffer has some legitimate options to work with. The competition for the Opening Day start is wide open, with Quintana, Lorenzen, Sugano, and Freeland all in the mix.
One notable detail: Quintana is now the only other lefty in the rotation alongside Freeland. That gives the Rockies some balance, but also underscores how important Quintana’s role could become, especially when facing lefty-heavy lineups or navigating the challenges of Coors Field.
Of course, pitching in Denver isn’t for the faint of heart. The altitude has a way of turning even the nastiest breaking balls into batting practice, and Quintana’s pitch mix will be under the microscope.
He leaned heavily on his sinker last year (44% usage), with a steady dose of changeups (22%), curveballs (15%), and the occasional four-seam fastball (12%). But in Colorado, lateral movement tends to flatten out, meaning he may need to tweak that mix.
Relying more on vertical movement-like the four-seamer up in the zone or a sharper curve-could help him stay effective.
There’s also a strategic angle to this signing. Quintana’s one-year deal makes him a potential trade chip come July if the Rockies aren’t in contention. That’s a card Colorado can play if he performs well, offering a veteran lefty to a contender in need of rotation depth.
For now, though, the focus is on stability. The Rockies have gone from scrambling for arms to having a full rotation with depth behind it.
It’s not flashy, but it’s a clear step forward. After a brutal 2025 on the mound, that’s exactly what this team-and its fans-needed to see.