As expected, the Indians have extended a qualifying offer to free agent Ubaldo Jimenez, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter). The one-year, $14.1MM QO ensures that the Indians will receive draft pick compensation if he goes elsewhere.
Jimenez could find a ripe market this winter given the lack of quality starting pitching available. Many believe that the two-year, $35MM deal given to Giants hurler Tim Lincecum also boosts the value of the 29-year-old. A long-term deal for Jimenez in Cleveland seems unlikely, but they'd happily take him back in 2014 for $14.1MM.
Jimenez, who turns 30 in January, posted a 3.30 ERA with 9.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 43.9 percent ground-ball rate in 182 2/3 innings this season. Things were rocky for Jimenez in 2011 and '12, but his turnaround in 2013 has completely altered his stock heading into free agency.
