Mailbag, 7/28/11: Jimenez, Kuroda

Hello all. Only one question submitted to us today regarding the trade deadline, but here it is!

Darrin asks: Will the Yankees eventually get Jimenez? I think he is too good to pass up and when Cashman sees the holes in this rotation he is clearly the best upgrade for the long term. Kuroda is just a 1 year fix.

Well Jimenez is one of what looks to be just 2 starting pitching options on the market for Cashman and the Yanks. He is a very good pitcher with great stuff and I’m sure he could handle tough lineups like those of Texas and Boston. Not only does Jimenez help with this second half and postseason, but in future years as well. Kuroda would only be under contract for this year and is not a long-term rotation solution, as you said. The only few things that are holding the Yankees back from trading for Jimenez are (1) the asking price which is for at least 2 or 3 of Banuelos, Betances, Montero, Nova, Hughes, and Romine, and (2) his consistency. The Yanks would be willing to give up the farm system (exaggeration) for Felix Hernandez, but not for Ubaldo, as he is a lesser pitcher, and less of a sure thing. Because of the Rockies’ high asking price, the Yankees haven’t made significant strides in a deal for Jimenez. I’m sure when and if Colorado lowers the price for Ubaldo, Brian Cashman will jump right on him, as he would be a very, very solid option for the #2 spot in the rotation moving forward.