To the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds and others, you may add the Indians to the list of teams trying to swing a deal for Rockies ace Ubaldo Jiménez. From Ken Rosenthal, Wednesday afternoon:
MLB Trade Rumors: Indians Going After Ubaldo Jiménez
The Yankees and Reds are perceived to be the teams with the best chances of landing Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez.
Another club, however, is strongly in the mix, according to major-league sources.
The Indians.
The Indians are poor, but money’s not really a consideration here because Jiménez is owed just $4.2 million in 2012 and $5.75 in 2013. He’s affordable for any team in the majors. What’s more, while the Indians will have to deal two or three top prospects to get Jiménez, in the event that they’re not contending next summer, they could quite probably deal him for two or three other top prospects. Unless he’s hurt.
Or ineffective. But that seems unlikely. While Jiménez’s ERA has taken a tumble this season, his underlying performance is roughly the same as it was in 2010 and 2009; he’s a very good pitcher who might have a bit of room for growth. Even without the growth, he would make every team in the majors better.
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