Cubs pick up Quintana's 2020 option; drop Holland
Jose Quintana hasn't consistently been the difference maker the Cubs were hoping for when they traded Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease to the White Sox to get him, but the left-hander has shown flashes of brilliance since joining the Cubs' starting rotation in July 2017.
Quintana has also stayed healthy, and he's going to be back for one more season.
On Saturday night, the Cubs announced they're picking up Quintana's $10.5 million club option for 2020. They could have bought out the final year of the deal for $1 million.
The Cubs also announced they declined reliever Derek Holland's $7 million club option for next season.
Holland, who was 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in 20 games (1 start) after being acquired in a trade from the Giants, gets a $500,000 buyout.
The Cubs are expected to pick up first baseman Anthony Rizzo's $14.5 million club option for 2020 on Sunday.
Quintana was 13-9 with a 4.68 ERA this season and he made 31 starts. He's gone to the post 30 or more times for seven straight years.
Helping keep the Cubs stay in playoff contention in August, Quintana was 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 35⅔ innings.
Quintana was ineffective in September, going 1-1 with an 11.09 ERA.
Since joining the Cubs, Quintana is 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA.