Report: Yankees To Scout Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez In Colorado Tuesday
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- The Yankees and Rockies are reportedly far apart in preliminary talks for starter Ubaldo Jimenez. In fact, Colorado might not even be willing to trade their ace.
That won't stop the Bombers from sending a representative to Coors Field.
According to the New York Post, the Yankees will have a scout on hand Tuesday night when Jimenez and the Rockies continue a four-game series at home against the Braves.
The Yankees also had scouts watching Astros left hander Wandy Rodriguez on Sunday, reported the Star-Ledger.
"I don't ever go through the what-ifs, what if you're going to get this guy," manager Joe Girardi said on Monday. "I don't think you can count on that. My concern is how my guys are throwing, and if they're not throwing well, what do you do to fix it and get them back on track."
WFAN's Jon Heyman reported on Sunday that the Rockies are "seriously considering" trading Jimenez. They like top Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero, but also want young pitchers Manuel Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Ivan Nova in the package. Heyman said New York is willing to ship pitching prospects -- but not any of those three.
"We would have to be absolutely overwhelmed," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd told the Denver Post this weekend. "It would have to be a Herschel Walker deal."
"It was suggested to me that the Yanks could get away without including all of the prized prospects, but only if they included, say, Phil Hughes," WFAN Yankees beat reporter Sweeny Murti wrote on Monday. "Think that's worth doing?"
The Rockies have lost three straight and nine of 13 as they fall further out of contention. That includes a four-game sweep in Atlanta from July 4-7 in which they were outscored 24-8.
That series created speculation that Jimenez (5-8, 4.08 ERA) may be on the trading block. He's signed for the next three years at just under $18 million -- including team options for the last two seasons that Jimenez can void if he's moved -- and says he wants to stay in Colorado.
The right-hander has started to pitch better after being hampered by thumb and hip injuries during a poor first part of his season, going 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA in his last six outings. The lone defeat was July 4 to the Braves when he allowed three runs over 5 1-3 innings and struck out nine in a 4-1 loss.
The Rockies' beleaguered ace has posted consecutive victories, allowing two runs over six innings Thursday in a 12-3 win over Milwaukee. He has not won three straight starts all year.
"I'm definitely feeling much better," Jimenez said.
What should the Yankees offer for Jimenez? Be heard in the comments below...
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
