The Colorado Rockies aren’t expected to do much this offseason outside of potentially adding some veterans on cheaper deals while aiming to slash payroll if possible. Since Charlie Blackmon’s $13 million is coming off the books along with Daniel Bard’s $9.5 million, the Rockies’ only other pending free agent is catcher Jacob Stallings. While Stallings is expected to decline his mutual option, allowing him to re-negotiate a deal with the team, the Rockies’ cost-cutting measures would likely come via arbitration players.

However, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding expects the Rockies to tender deals to all arbitration-eligible players while exploring trades for a few players, particularly Cal Quantrill.

Quantrill, who turns 30 in February, joined the Rockies via a trade with Cleveland last offseason after he was designated for assignment. The Rockies hoped that adding Quantrill would give them the veteran presence and competitive edge they hoped would help strengthen the rotation. Quantrill lived up to the billing in his first two months of the season, particularly in May when he went 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 31 2/3 innings of work.

After a strong May, however, Quantrill’s performance on the mound began to take a dip into inconsistency. From June 29 through the end of the season, Quantrill made 13 starts, posting a 7.25 ERA in 58 1/3 innings. The biggest culprit for his struggles on the year came via the walks as he had a 10.5% walk rate, the highest mark of his career. He also ended up allowing a higher rate of hard-hit balls while his strikeout numbers waivered in the latter part of the season.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Quantrill is expected a salary close to $9 million for the 2025 season. In the grand scheme of things it isn’t the worst thing in the world for the Rockies to retain both him and his salary his final year of team control, but the team is already up against the wall in terms of starting pitching depth, a good problem to have.

The Rockies projected rotation already tabs Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela and German Marquez (the latter two having recovered from Tommy John surgery) to headline the rotation as the franchise staples. Additionally, Ryan Felter aims to build upon a strong 2024 campaign while Austin Gomber is owed less money in his final year of arbitration and gives the team another lefty in the rotation. There is also the fact that the Rockies have a number of starting pitchers who saw time in 2024 or could make their debut in 2025.

Recent high Draft picks like Chase Dollander (the Rockies’ No. 2 prospect), Sean Sullivan (Rockies’ No. 10), Carson Palmquist (Rockies’ No. 14), Gabriel Hughes (Rockies’ No. 22), Jordy Vargas (Rockies’ No. 25) and Connor Van Scoyoc will get chances in Spring Training along with Bradley Blalock (Rockies’ No. 23), Tanner Gordon and 2024 Rule 5 Draft pick Anthony Molina who saw time last season. The surplus of big league-ready pitching may force the Rockies’ hand to move Quantrill if possible.

But who could be interested in Quantrill?

There were reports that teams weren’t exactly interested in trading for Quantrill at the 2024 trade deadline. His performance and some minor concerns about his elbow were sure to nix any possible interest in the right-hander. However, teams in need of rotation talent at an affordable price could find themselves drawn to Quantrill. After all, he managed to pitch a decent full season with a 4.98 ERA while pitching in Colorado. Perhaps it was a matter of fatigue from the full season, his first since 2022, along with the rigors of pitching for the Rockies that led to Quantrill running out of steam by the end of the season.

Teams looking to add talent without breaking the bank would surely be interested in Quantrill who has a pedigree of success behind him as well as a cheaper financial commitment for quality talent. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox could be options as they try to lengthen their rotations and become more competitive.

Quantrill may not be the top-tier that he had the potential to be while in Cleveland after the shoulder injuries, but 2025 proved that he can be a capable and reliable starter when at his best. He will just have to lower his walk rate to his career norms if he wants to set up nicely for free agency after the 2025 season. He’s already made it clear he wants to pitch for a contender and isn’t likely to sign an extension with the Rockies, meaning the clock is ticking for the Rockies to get what they can for the right-hander.