Reports: Mets land LHP Jose Quintana

Left-hander Jose Quintana agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with the New York Mets on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Quintana, who turns 34 in January, boosted his value in free agency with a strong second half in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA in 32 starts, beginning the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and joining the Cardinals at the trade deadline.

The Mets signed Justin Verlander, the American League Cy Young Award winner, to a two-year contract worth $86.6 million as they rebuild a rotation that lost Jacob deGrom (Rangers) and Tijuan Walker (Phillies) in free agency.

The Mets are reportedly in the lead pack of suitors for Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga, who met with general manager Billy Eppler before the winter meetings. Senga's fastball was clocked at 98-99 mph consistently in Japan, where the 29-year-old averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings with a 1.94 ERA last season.

In 11 seasons, Quintana is 89-87 with a 3.75 ERA. The Mets would be his sixth team since 2020, having also pitched with the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants.

deGrom agreed to a five-year, $185 million deal with Texas and Walker agreed to a reported four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia.

Starter Chris Bassitt remains a free agent and could return to the Mets, according to reports.