The Cleveland Guardians have traded right-hand pitcher Cal Quantrill to the Colorado Rockies. The Guardians will receive minor league catcher Kody Huff in exchange.
Quantrill was traded after being designated for assignment on Wednesday. This means that the Rockies will be on the hook for his $6.6 million salary in 2024 and arbitration-eligible year in 2025.
Quantrill had an outstanding season with the Guardians in 2022, making 32 starts and going 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA and a career-high 128 strikeouts. In 2023, however, it was a completely different story.
Struggling with a series of injuries, Quantrill never found a consistency that would help him become indispensable for Cleveland again. He had a 4-7 record in 19 starts while recording a career-worst 5.24 ERA.
It was an easy decision for the Guardians to cut ties with Quantrill after a disappointing season. The team has an abundance of young pitchers that could provide much better value than an underperforming veteran. They also get Huff, who hasn’t shown he is ready for the majors, but could be a long-term project for the team.
The Rockies, on the other hand, hope Quantrill can regain some of his past form after becoming fully healthy. If that happens, they will have a great rotational piece for a reasonable price.
