11:40am: Ryan tells reporters (including LaVelle E. Neal III) that Quentin indicated that he will return to his family and retirement, rather than seek out another team.
11:04am: Veteran outfielder Carlos Quentin has rejected his Triple-A assignment from the Twins and is now a free agent, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reports (Twitter link). The Twins granted his release after Quentin asked to be let go, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune tweets.
The minor league deal Quentin signed with Minnesota in February didn’t contain an opt-out date until June 1, though there was an unofficial agreement in place between the two sides that Quentin would be released if he didn’t make the club. After Quentin was assigned to the minors, the Twins gave him a few days to decide on his next move, with GM Terry Ryan and manager Paul Molitor both hoping Quentin would stay in the organization since the veteran would almost assuredly get called up at some point during the season.
The nine-year MLB veteran last played in the bigs in 2014, as Quentin played just five games with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate in 2015 before deciding to retire. The virtual year off, however, eased a lot of pain in Quentin’s knees and shoulder and he decided to give playing another shot this offseason.
Injuries have long limited Quentin’s career, as he only cracked the 100-game plateau three times in nine seasons. When he was on the field, however, Quentin swung a dangerous power bat. As recently as 2013, he hit .275/.363/.493 with 13 homers over 320 PA with the Padres. Despite this track record, it seems unlikely that Quentin would land a big league job without at least some time in the minors.
Maybe he thinks he has a shot in Philly?
Phillies have Bourjous and Goedell from the right side, with Altherr back at mid-season
They don’t need a RH hitter.
He would start in bostons outfield because the Red Sox suck
youre probs a jealous yankee fan
Jealous of what?
That’s four teams in 11 months that have told him he’s done. Two have been glad to pay him NOT to be in their organizations. That’s not so much “retired” as “unemployed.”
Wheres Big papi guy, he knows the Red Sox front office the best
Goodnight, my sweet angel.
Man this guy nearly won the MVP award in his first year with the White Sox, sad to see all the injuries catch up to him and limit his full potential. I still have his Jersey hanging up in my closet