The Chicago Cubs aren’t waiting around to improve before the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline.
The Cubs on Thursday acquired Chicago White Sox ace Jose Quintana in a blockbuster trade that took the baseball world a bit by surprise. The Cubs sent four prospects to the White Sox in return, headlined by Eloy Jimenez, the No. 5 prospect in baseball per Baseball America.
Quintana’s move to Chicago’s North Side won’t be a long one, but the left-hander could give the Cubs a much-needed jolt in the second half of the season. The defending World Series champs own a disappointing 43-45 record at the All-Star break thanks in part to a scuffling rotation that owns a combined 4.66 ERA, 17th in baseball. Quintana has struggled this year — he’s 4-8 on the season with a 4.49 ERA — but the 2016 All-Star still was one of the best pitchers on the major-league trade market.
The Cubs landing Quintana ends a long pursuit of the 28-year-old Colombia native, who was tied to many teams in trade rumors over the past several years. The last-place White Sox, meanwhile, netted an impressive haul of prospects in return as they continue to push forward on their rebuild.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports Images
