Brewers' veteran southpaw to continue storied MLB career with Rockies in 2026

The Milwaukee Brewers didn't have many departing free agents this offseason. The list included three trade deadline additions -- Danny Jansen, Shelby Miller, and Jordan Montgomery -- two players who didn't make the Brewers' postseason roster -- Rhys Hoskins and Erick Fedde -- and veteran southpaw José Quintana.

Much of that group remains unsigned at this late stage of the offseason. Jansen inked a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers back in December, and Erick Fedde just recently agreed to return to the Chicago White Sox on a one-year pact, but up until moments ago, the other four remained in search of jobs for the 2026 season. That number is now down to three as Quintana has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Rumors were certainly present about the Brewers reuniting with Quintana for the 2026 season, but those were essentially put to bed on Monday morning when Milwaukee acquired left-handed starter Kyle Harrison from the Boston Red Sox. Following the trade, the Brewers have an impressive amount of rotation options, so their interest in signing a free agent like Quintana, or Montgomery for that matter, likely disappeared. Per FanSided's own Robert Murray, Quintana will earn a $6 million salary in 2026, a raise from the $4.25 million guaranteed salary he brought in last offseason.

José Quintana agrees to one-year, $6 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, returning for his 15th season in MLB

Quintana was exactly what the Brewers needed at the back-end of their rotation in 2025; he was a steady, reliable force who rarely turned in a throwaway start and always gave the team a chance to win when he toed the rubber every fifth day. At 36 years old, Quintana impressively posted a sub-4.00 ERA in 24 starts, relying on a crafty arsenal of pitches that rarely lived anywhere but the corners of the strike zone. He was a necessary veteran presence in the Brewers' clubhouse and served as a mentor to many of the young arms on Milwaukee's pitching staff.

The Rockies will be the ninth team of Quintana's storied MLB career, and while Coors Field is not necessarily the ideal spot for a veteran starting pitcher, the wily southpaw should have plenty of opportunities in Colorado.

Quintana's career, which began all the way back in 2012 with the White Sox, is gaining a new chapter, and one that could serve as the toughest test of his storied MLB career. Not only does Quintana theoretically have to make half of his starts in elevation, but he also joins an NL West division that is filled with high-powered offenses.

Though he was once a division foe of the Brewers, who Milwaukee seemingly couldn't figure out for years, Quintana's stop in the Cream City last year has likely softened Brewers' fans' perspectives on the long-time Chicago Cub. Though he certainly faces an uphill battle with the Rockies, here's hoping for the best for Quintana in his 15th year in Major League Baseball.