BREAKING: Cardinals Betrayed By Former All-Star Hurler After Surprise NL Central Rival Signing

The former St. Louis left-hander is joining a division rival.

The St. Louis Cardinals have opted against reuniting with several former pitchers this offseason as they focus on developing young talent for 2025.

After declining 2025 club options on veteran right-handers Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson earlier this offseason, it became clear that the Cardinals weren’t looking to strengthen their rotation with experienced arms.

As a result, a former Cardinals southpaw has reportedly signed with a key National League Central competitor in a surprising move.

“Free-agent pitcher Jose Quintana and the Milwaukee Brewers are in agreement on a one-year contract, according to sources familiar with the deal,” FanSided’s Robert Murray reported Monday afternoon.

Quintana was impressive for the Cardinals in the second half of the 2022 season, recording a 3-2 record with a 2.01 ERA, a 48-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .238 opponent batting average, and a 1.12 WHIP.

Since departing St. Louis following the team’s NL Wild Card Series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies—their last playoff appearance—Quintana has remained a reliable mid-rotation starter.

In 2024, he posted a 10-10 record with a 3.75 ERA, a 135-to-63 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .237 opponent batting average, and a 1.25 WHIP across 170 1/3 innings for the New York Mets.

By signing Quintana, the Brewers add stability to their rotation as they aim for a third straight NL Central title.

Despite being a small-market team that rarely makes big free-agent moves, Milwaukee seized the opportunity to land the 36-year-old veteran on a one-year deal.