As baseball season inches closer it appears as if we will finally have a resolution on the Jose Quintana saga; for now. Earlier this offseason ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the White Sox wanted to have Quintana dealt by Spring Training. While it doesn't mean that once Spring Training starts Quintana is off the market, it appears likely that if he enters with the White Sox, he will begin the 2017 season on the South Side. If he isn't moved prior to the beginning of the season there is a good chance that Quintana is moved at the Trade Deadline. However with Pitchers and Catchers meeting on February 14th, teams better be making their best offers if they want the White Sox ace prior to Opening Day. The Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates have been the two most aggressive teams on Quintana. At one point the Yankees, Braves, Dodgers and Rangers were also all in the mix. It's likely that all five teams have offered their best deal to the the White Sox. Rick Hahn knows exactly what he is going to get. If none of their offers are up to his liking, there is a chance Hahn holds onto Quintana into the season hoping teams get desperate at the Deadline. It seemed likely that whenever Quintana was traded, one of those teams would be the landing spot. That was until a recent report from the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. In his latest, Cafardo touched on multiple hot topics around the MLB universe. When it came to Jose Quintana, he wrote: White Sox GM Rick Hahn has held his ground on what he needs in return for Quintana in a deal. Hahn is under no pressure to trade the All-Star now and could hold on to him until the trade deadline, when teams feel more urgency to make a deal. But Hahn will move Quintana sooner if he gets a package similar to what he got for Chris Sale. Prospect-rich organizations such as the Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, Phillies, Yankees, and Brewers are possible destinations. The Astros, who now have two extra high draft picks to add to their farm system (as a result of the Cardinals’ hacking punishment), are seen as the front-runners.

From Dwellers To Contenders?

The Phillies and Brewers both finished fourth in their respective divisions last season. With Philadelphia battling contenders like the Mets and Nationals and Milwaukee having to face the World Champion Cubs, it seems unlikely that either team is ready to compete in 2017. To be fair, the Phillies and Brewers did make massive improvements to their rosters this offseason. Philadelphia added Michael Saunders and Joaquin Benoit on one year deals. Obviously both could end up just being trade bait, but Saunders is coming off of an All Star campaign and Benoit should be an above average closer. If both remain throughout the season, it would give the Phillies a big bat towards the top of the lineup and a talented ninth inning pitcher. Milwaukee signed Neftali Feliz and Eric Thames will trading for Travis Shaw. Feliz should shore up the ninth inning for the club after the Brewers moved Tyler Thornburg. Thames is returning to the MLB after playing three seasons in the Korean League. During that time he hit .348 with 124 home runs, 379 RBIs and 64 stolen bases. Shaw should add even more power to the lineup hitting for double digit home runs both years he has been in the MLB. Overall the Brewers lineup could be surprisingly dangerous while Feliz could prove to be a talented closer. Both teams are still not on the same level as a Cubs or Nationals. However they did make big improvements and could perhaps be surprise playoff teams in 2017.

The Power Of Prospects

Cafardo notes that if a team is going to pull off a deal for Quintana, they need to be "prospect-rich" The Phillies and Brewers fit that bill with Milwaukee having the deeper farm system and Philadelphia having one of the best prospects in the MLB. Milwaukee currently has five prospects inside the top 100 according to MLB Pipeline. Their top two prospects (Lewis Brinson and Corey Ray) are both outfielders. With players like Ryan Braun, Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana already in the MLB, perhaps the Brewers would be willing to move one of Brinson or Ray for Quintana. Outside of their top five prospects, players such as Phil Bickford, Trent Clark and Brett Phillips would likely interest the White Sox. Philadelphia currently has just three prospects within the top 100. The club does have two top 20 prospects in J.P Craford (7th) and Mickey Moniak (19th). Their third best prospect Jorge Alfardo, would allow for the team to move Zack Collins to first base. Outside of those three, players like Nick Williams, Cornelius Randolph or Roman Quinn could interest the South Siders. The Brewers have more ammunition to pull off a deal making Milwaukee a more likely destination. However if Philadelphia offers Crawford or Moniak in any deal, it'd be hard to turn down. Milwaukee and Philadelphia don't get enough credit for how talented their farm systems really are. If either team wanted to pull off a deal for Quintana, both have more than enough ammunition to do so.

Author's Reaction

It's hard to tell if Cafardo is reporting legitimate interest or just stating that the Brewers and Phillies COULD pull of a deal. However it's interesting that Cafardo doesn't name a team like the Rockies in his initial list. Colorado has five prospects in the top 100 and seems to be making a push towards the playoffs. It's more puzzling that he doesn't include the Pirates, who have not only shown massive interest in Quintana, but have five prospects in the top 100. It would be quite the shock if the Brewers or Phillies pulled off such a big deal this close to the season. Neither have seen what they're 2017 team is going to look like on the field yet. If either team were to truly get involved on a Quintana deal it would likely occur at the Trade Deadline. Both will know where they rank in their divisional standings. If either is still in the hunt, then maybe they make a move for Quintana. But if their out of the race, there's no point in trading their valuable assets in a losing season. Even if Cafardo is right and the Brewers and Phillies are showing interest in the White Sox ace, neither could be considered more than dark horses. The Pirates and Astros will remain the heavy favorites until a resolution is resolved. It's fun to imagine a team like the Brewers or Phillies getting involved due to how talented their prospects are. But with both still very much in a rebuilding mode going into 2017 it's hard to imagine them actually pulling off a deal. A lot could change and both could end up being surprise playoff contenders. But for now, Jose Quintana being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies or Milwaukee Brewers remains a pipe dream.   Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14