Ubaldo Jimenez could land in the Bronx as the New York Yankees are reportedly the front-runner to get the right-handed free agent pitcher regardless of what happens with their pursuit of Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka.
Jimenez, who spent his last two-and-a-half seasons with the Cleveland Indians, has yet to find a new home, and according to the Latino Post, the Bronx Bombers are the favorite to land the 29 year old.
The Yankees, who are a free-spending franchise, seem to be a favorite to land Jimenez because his solid play to close out 2013 will likely land him a lucrative contract, the Boston Herald reports.
"A few GMs I spoke with recently feel the Yankees may wind up with Jimenez, even if they land Masahiro Tanaka," one anonymous general manager told the Boston Herald. "He had an excellent second half, has great stuff, and he has the type of personality that would fit New York. He doesn't let things get to him. He's good at shrugging off things and turning the page."
If Jimenez would sign, he'd join former Cy Young Award winner CC. Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Hiroki Kuroda as the Yankees list of above-average pitchers in the rotation.
Jimenez, who started his career with the Colorado Rockies from 2008-11 before being traded to the Cleveland Indians at the trade deadline in the 2011 season, went 13-9 through 32 games for Cleveland last year with a 3.30 ERA, 1.330 WHIP and 194 strikeouts. After a rough start to the season, Jimenez put together a strong second half to close out the season.
The Yankees are expected to stay active in their pursuit of Tanaka, who went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Eagles last season in Japan and will cost around $100 million for the team that signs him, not counting the $20 million posting fee.
"While Jimenez remains on New York's radar, the club is still expected to pursue Masahiro Tanaka, the Latin Times reports. "Though they'd like to remain under the $189 million tax threshold, Yankees higher-ups have repeatedly said that the tax threshold line is only a goal and not a mandate, leaving open the possibility that the Bronx Bombers land two of the biggest free agent pitchers on the market."
Jimenez is 82-75 through 212 games in his career with a 3.92 ERA, 1.345 WHIP and 1,172 strikeouts.
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