Chicago Cubs acquire Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox: Twitter reacts
The Chicago Cubs traded for starting pitcher Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. This was a big move that sent Twitter into a frenzy. Let’s take a look at the Twitter reactions from this Windy City trade.
The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox came together on a deal on Thursday, sending starting pitcher Jose Quintana to the North Side. Quintana is a legitimate top of the rotation starting pitcher who immediately fills the Cubs’ most immediate need.
Also, with Quintana being on a great contract through the 2020 season, he also fills the Cubs’ biggest long-term need. Sending top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox, the Cubs undoubtedly gave up a ton of talent for Quintana. However, this is a trade that makes sense for both teams. The Cubs are now in a better position to compete for the short-term, while the rebuilding White Sox add significant assets to their already loaded farm system.
This trade was not reported or even rumored beforehand. Quintana always made sense for the Cubs, but there did not seem to be any traction in this deal. Theo Epstein, Rick Hahn and their staffs did an incredible job of keeping this one quiet. This trade was announced by the team Twitter accounts. In today’s world, that is incredibly rare.
This surprising trade turned the baseball Twitter world upside down, especially in the Windy City. Let’s take a look back at the action.
Twitter reacts to Quintana trade
The teams break the deal out of nowhere.
#WhiteSox have acquired OF Eloy Jiménez, RHP Dylan Cease, 1B Matt Rose & INF Bryant Flete from the Cubs in exchange for LHP José Quintana.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 13, 2017
#Cubs today acquired LHP José Quintana from the #WhiteSox for OF Eloy Jimenez, RHP Dylan Cease, and INFs Matt Rose and Bryant Flete. pic.twitter.com/R8E9u9anls
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 13, 2017
Yes, yes it was:
How the White Sox and Cubs kept this quiet without it getting leaked and announced it at the same time is pretty impressive. #Quintana
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) July 13, 2017
And then, Twitter reacts:
As for the White Sox, good god they are loaded now. Good for them. Huge win trade for them. Huge win trade for Cubs. See? It can work!
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 13, 2017
Quintana: Pro-rated $7M in ’17, $8.85M in ’18, $10.5M club options both ’19 and ’20. Option price in ’20 rises with top 3 Cy Young finish.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 13, 2017
Initial reaction: Jimenez is the only one of that group that's anywhere near a sure bet. Cease is high ceiling, low floor. Great trade.
— Ryan Davis (@RyanQDavis) July 13, 2017
You know who did not get Jose Quintana? The Milwaukee Brewers. Their interest, publicly too, might have pushed this forward a bit.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) July 13, 2017
If you had told me at Winter Meetings Quintana to Cubs - no Schwarber, Baez, Russell, Contreras part of deal. I wouldn't believe it
— Luke Stuckmeyer (@LukeStuckmeyer) July 13, 2017
Cubs close 1st half with rotation of Lester/Arrieta/Lackey/Montgomery/Butler, open 2nd half with Quintana/Lester/Arrieta/Hendricks/Lackey.
— Brad (@ballskwok) July 13, 2017
At first glance, the White Sox got a pretty big haul for Quintana.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) July 13, 2017
Reaction to the Jose Quintana return... pic.twitter.com/lFISWOW1sD
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) July 13, 2017
One scout on Eloy Jimenez: "Might be a monster. Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up better than Moncada."#WhiteSox #Cubs
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 13, 2017
Rick Hahn right now... #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/UVaxhxAPkK
— Laurence Holmes (@LaurenceWHolmes) July 13, 2017
White Sox top prospects:
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) July 13, 2017
1 - Moncada
8 - Jimenez
11 - Kopech
23 - Robert
28 - Giolito
59 - Fulmer
63 - Cease
68 - Collins
They are loaded.
Here's the thing: Quintana was always *the perfect* trade target for the Cubs. It's just, well, we didn't think that was realistic.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 13, 2017
Thing to keep in mind. Cubs jumped the market, but I don't think they overpaid. That's a job well done.
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) July 13, 2017
I despise trading Eloy but that's a great trade for both sides. Cubs get their controlled starter, Sox get premium bat and upside arm.
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) July 13, 2017
Next: Why Quintana was the perfect target for the Cubs
Final Thoughts
All in all, this is a fantastic trade for both sides. The Cubs fill their obvious need in the rotation, both for 2017 and beyond. The White Sox add to an already impressive stock of talent in the minor league.
This trade could give the Cubs the boost they need to catch and pass the Milwaukee Brewers in the second half and undoubtedly sets the rebuilding South Siders up well for the long-term. Great job by both teams here.