The Cubs on Saturday exercised their $10.5 million contract option for 2020 on left-hander Jose Quintana, assuring themselves control of four of the five members of their 2019 starting rotation.
The Cubs also are expected to exercise their $16.5 million option for 2020 on first baseman Anthony Rizzo, with an announcement expected in the next day or so.
Quintana (13-9, 4.68 ERA) joins left-hander Jon Lester and right-handers Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks as starters under contract for next season (for a total of $64.5 million). Right-hander Tyler Chatwood ($13 million in 2020), who was signed as a starter before being demoted to the bullpen in 2018, also has one year left on his contract.
The Cubs also declined their $7 million option for 2020 on left-hander Derek Holland, paying him a $500,000 buyout instead.
