Rockies Lowering Demands For Jimenez?

Every time A.J. or Hughes put up another stinker the Yankees need for another top of the rotation guys becomes more and more obvious. So let's hope that price drops a little more in the next day.

Yanks Sending Scouts To Watch Ubaldo Tonight

From George A. King III:

The Yankees say they don’t want to pay the premium price teams with tradable starting pitchers are seeking.

Yet that hasn’t stopped them from flooding major league ballparks with scouts to watch the arms that might be dealt by the July 31 trade deadline.

Last week, scout Jay Darnell was in Denver to eyeball Rockies’ right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Sunday, Darnell’s name was on the scout’s list in Houston, where lefty Wandy Rodriguez started for the Astros. Tonight the Yankees will have a scout watching Jimenez face the Braves in Denver.

I don't see a deal getting done here, but at least the Yankees are doing their due diligence.

Would Trading For Jimenez Be The Right Move?

As you may know, the Yankees have recently been talking to the Rockies about acquiring 27-year old Ubaldo Jimenez, who won 19 games last year for Colorado.

According to many reports, it would take the Yankees AT LEAST one of their big three prospects (Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, and Manny Banuelos), Ivan Nova, and someone like Austin Romine or Andrew Brackman. Some reports have even said Colorado is asking for the entire big three and then some.

All I'm thinking is - what is Colorado smoking???

We all know he was the first half Cy Young and MVP of the 2010 season, as he had 15 wins and an ERA under 2 by the time the All Star Break rolled around. He fell of the tracks in the second half and started this season as a very mediocre pitcher, if not worse.

Since the beginning of June, however, he is 5-3 with a 2.56 ERA, 54 strikeouts, and just 13 walks in 59 and 2/3 innings. And we all know that the starting staff as it is, will not get the Yankees far in the playoffs, if they get there at all.

Jimenez would definitely be a great addition, and would give the Yankees a scary 1-2 punch with CC and Ubaldo. But to me he is not worth what the Rockies are apparently asking for. Of course these are just rumors, but if the Yankees do end up acquiring him, hopefully they don't give up no more than one of their big three and maybe an Ivan Nova or Andrew Brackman. Anything more than that, and Cash should be smart and say no to Colorado. There will be many pitchers available at the deadline, some even better than Jimenez. (*cough cough* Felix Hernandez???)

Could Ubaldo Jimenez be in the cards?

As per George King III of the New York Post:

The Yankees were one of 17 teams in Denver on Thursday night to watch Ubaldo Jimenez pitch.

According to several talent evaluators, they have a better than average chance to acquire the 27-year-old because they have the top-shelf prospects the Rockies are looking for.

In mid-June the Rockies started getting calls on Jimenez and were told they weren’t actively shopping him, but if teams were willing to talk about moving their best prospects the Rockies would listen.

At 44-48 and 8 ½ games behind the NL West-leading Giants, the Rockies are very close to being sellers in a sellers' market as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

According to a person familiar with the Rockies’ mindset, they believe Jimenez has pouted this year because Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez received contract extensions and he didn’t.

“They are annoyed at him,’’ the source said of Jimenez, who is 5-8 with a 4.08 ERA but pitching better lately after starting the season 0-5.

The Rockies recently scouted the Yankees’ Triple-A and Double-A teams and like Jesus Montero but not with the idea of using him at catcher. Instead, they view him as a first baseman. They also are high on pitchers Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances.

However, the party line other organizations have heard coming from The Bronx is that those three are untouchable.

[snip]


He is making $2.8 million this year and $4.2 million next season. There is a club option for $5.75 million with a $1 million buyout for 2013 and a club option for $8 million and a $1 million buyout for 2014. The second option is only good if the 2013 option is exercised and may be voided if Jimenez is traded.

Jimenez is certainly the most tantalizing name being bandied about as the deadline approaches, at least in so far as the Yankees are concerned. He's young, he's cheap, and his stuff is among the very best in all of baseball. His struggles have been well-documented this season, but it is worth noting that he's maintained well above-average strikeout and groundball rates while simultaneously posting a FIP 17% better than league-average. On the whole, Jimenez's 2011 has left a bit to be desired ... but he's the sort of game-changer that I believe could be the difference between a first-round exit and a World Series Championship.

Given Jimenez's age and team-friendly contract, the Rockies can and will seek a king's ransom for their ace. The question then becomes whether the Yankees should be willing to part with one or more of their top prospects in what amounts to something of a roll of the dice. In my mind, the answer is fairly simple - yes. I would be willing to part with Betances, and I could be swayed with both Montero (who appears to be persona non grata with the Yankees) and Banuelos. I'd be incredibly hesitant to deal more than one, however. As it stands, I'd be open to something like Betances, Noesi, Romine, and Joseph.

Thoughts?