Will the New York Yankees get Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies? Do they even need him?
With an unreliable AJ Burnett and a still-recovering Phil Hughes as the probable 2-3 starters in the playoffs, Brian Cashman probably wouldn't mind adding Jimenez to the Yankees rotation right after CC Sabathia. And no one should be surprised if Cashman pulls off a trade for the young and affordable ace of the Rockies. But I also wouldn't be surprised to see Jimenez end up elsewhere or even stay put, given the reported asking price. I don’t think Cashman is going to give up the farm he has worked so hard to develop.
Would losing out on Jimenez be a serious blow to the Yankees? No, not for the regular season. Jimenez was impressive when I saw him pitch against the Yankees last month, especially in comparison to Burnett who was pitching for the Yankees (at a painfully slow and ineffective pace, as my niece couldn’t help but note). He would be great in the Yankees rotation, but they don’t need him to make the playoffs. But they may need someone like him to beat the Red Sox in the postseason.
However, if Cashman loses out on Jimenez, he will be undeterred and will simply move on to the next target, whoever that may be. Perhaps more bargain shopping for the general manager who signed Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, the most welcome surprises of the season for the Yankees. Neither one is any ace anymore like the young Jimenez, but they’re good enough for the regular season. And Cashman may still have a trick up his sleeve for a legitimate #2 to pair up with CC. Stay tuned.
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