Cleveland Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez declined his mutual option Thursday night and officially entered free agency, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Ubaldo Jimenez declines mutual option, enters free agency
Cleveland has until Monday to tender Jimenez a qualifying offer.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
When Jimenez originally signed his most recent contract with the Colorado Rockies before the 2009 season, the 2014 option on his deal was a club option. The option changed into a mutual one when the Rockies traded the starter to the Indians during the 2011 season.
More Indians: Cleveland should sign Grady Sizemore. Seriously.
Jimenez is coming off his best campaign since 2010, going 13-9 with a 3.32 ERA. He whiffed 194 batters over 182 2/3 innings, giving him the second-most strikeouts on the Indians staff behind Justin Masterson. Jimenez impressed during the second half of the season, posting a 1.82 ERA with 100 strikeouts during his final 84 innings of the year.
Cleveland has until Monday to offer Jimenez a $14.1 million qualifying offer. If Jimenez rejects the offer and signs elsewhere, the club will receive draft pick compensation. The Indians, however, have not decided whether they will extend the starter an offer, according to Hoynes.
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