We've read estimates ranging from a 10 to 25% chance that Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez is traded this month. Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd said yesterday "it would have to be a Herschel Walker deal." Given Jimenez's extremely team-friendly contract, and the fact that he has more value to the Rockies than any other team due to the nature of his 2014 club option, I can't see him being traded. What young pre-arbitration pitcher would be the centerpiece? My reservations aside, here are today's Jimenez rumors…
- The Rockies and Yankees have not started exchanging names regarding Jimenez, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Olney suggests there's only a "very slim" chance the Yankees and Rockies work out a deal.
- No less than 12 teams, including some non-contenders, have checked in on Jimenez, reports SI's Jon Heyman.
- Yankees catcher Jesus Montero will not be the centerpiece of a Jimenez deal, a person with ties to the Rockies tells Heyman. That makes sense, especially if the Rockies view Montero as a future first baseman. Perhaps 20-year-old southpaw Manny Banuelos could be the key player, but Heyman says someone with ties to the Yankees insists they won't part with Banuelos, Dellin Betances, or Ivan Nova. The Rockies asked for all four.
