With teams desperate for pitching and not much to be had on the market, it’s no surprise so many clubs have checked in with the Rockies regarding Ubaldo Jimenez. Jon Heyman reported that 7 teams have shown interest in the right hander; the Reds, Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Indians and Blue Jays.
Two days ago a source told Jon Paul Morosi that the chances Jimenez is traded are around 50%. People have gone back and forth wondering if the Rockies are actually looking to deal the right hander or if they’re simply listening in case some team decides to get a little crazy with an offer.
Joel Sherman tweeted yesterday that executives around the league do feel that the Rockies are trying to move the former CY Young candidate, but others surrounding the situation feel a deal is unlikely at this point.
A large reason many don’t see a trade taking place before the 31st is Colorado’s asking price for their Jimenez. The Rockies are looking for 3 big pieces in return for giving up the starter.
It’s understandable for Colorado to put the bar that high to begin negotiations. Jimenez is only 27 and is coming off of a very solid 2010 campaign in which he maintained an ERA of 2.88 while striking out 214 batters over 221.2 innings. Jimenez has started 33 or more games for the Rockies the past 3 seasons while posting an earned run average south of 3.50.
Another reason Jimenez is so coveted is because of his affordability. He’s only making $2.8 million this season and can be controlled through 2014 for only $18 million total from 2012-14. His deal does include a pair of team options that can be increased depending on how Jimenez finishes in Cy Young voting, and the right hander can void the last year of the deal if he is traded. Still, all in all, Jimenez is locked up on the cheap for the next three years.
While the Rockies asking price is reasonable for the abovementioned reasons, contenders are justified if they balk at the cost. Jimenez was erratic to begin the season, and though he’s gotten back on track, Colorado is asking for the moon in return for him.
To give you an idea of the cost, you have to look no further than negotiations between the Reds and Rockies.
Cincinnati is believed to have made it deepest into trade talks with Colorado, and the Rockies are believed to be asking for Homer Bailey, Travis Wood and either Aroldis Chapman or Devin Mesoraco for Jimenez. That’s 2 major league ready young arms to go with the Reds’ first or third best prospect entering 2011.
While many believe a deal is a long shot, the Reds haven’t said no. GM Walt Jocketty has mentioned his willingness to move top prospects, but only for a ‘long-term solution’. With the amount of time Jimenez is under team control, he would certainly be considered more than a rental.
As we approach the deadline, no one expects the Rockies asking price to go down as they really have no incentive to lower it. Colorado will sit and hope the playoff pressure gets to a contending club and forces them to blink before Sunday night.
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