Ubaldo Jimenez’s dreadful results with the Orioles this season (specifically over his past seven starts) may soon force the Orioles’ hand, writes MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko. Manager Buck Showalter declined to give an inkling of the team’s intentions with Jimenez, stating: “We have to look at other possibilities, but if we do something, he’s going to hear about it from us long before he reads about it.” As Kubatko points out, that type of sentiment from Showalter in the past has typically preceded a change, and the real question surrounding Jimenez is how drastic of a move the team will make. Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun wrote last night that a release isn’t likely given the remaining money on Jimenez’s four-year deal, but Kubatko hears differently, writing that the O’s are willing to cut bait in spite of the financial considerations. Jimenez is owed about $7.89MM through the end of the season and is earning $13.5MM in 2017 as well. He has a 6.89 ERA through 62 2/3 innings this season and has seen his once blistering fastball dip to an average of just 89.8 mph.
More from the American League…
- Former Braves setup ace Jonny Venters somewhat quietly returned to the mound after his third Tommy John surgery when he tossed a scoreless inning for the Rays’ Class-A Advanced affiliate earlier this month, as MLB.com’s Sam Blum writes. The Rays signed Venters to a two-year minor league contract last season, and the plan for him is to make about five appearances with Class-A Charlotte before being moved up to Triple-A Durham. If Venters, whose fastball touched 93 mph in his first appearance with the Stone Crabs, can show Major League caliber pitches and prove capable of throwing on back-to-back days, he could get a look with the big league club. Venters tells Blum that he doesn’t feel bad for himself whatsoever even after all of his arm woes, rather that he feels fortunate to have accomplished what he has in his career and to still have a chance. Blum also spoke to Venters’ former teammate Craig Kimbrel about the 31-year-old’s long journey back to the mound. “It shows a lot about who he is,” said Kimbrel. “He has some of the nastiest pitches, pure stuff in the game. … He’s giving everything he’s got. It’s special to be able to play this game, and he feels like he can still do it.” Venters, who has a career 2.23 ERA in 229 2/3 MLB innings, is looking to become the second pitcher to ever return from a third TJ operation, joining Jason Isringhausen.
- While Carlos Beltran is having a strong season and would love to remain with the Yankees beyond 2016, the team has yet to reach out to the free-agent-to-be about a new contract, reports Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com. Beltran has said he’d like to play for another two seasons beyond this one, Bloom adds. The 39-year-old slugger is hitting .277/.313/.554 with 16 homers on the season, placing him just three long balls shy of last season’s total of 19. As Bloom points out, Beltran’s excellent season is only further adding to a very legitimate Hall of Fame case; he ranks fourth among active players in WAR and reached a pair of notable milestones this season, belting his 400th homer and recording his 2500th hit (his 1500th RBI isn’t far off, either). Bloom spoke to both skippers who were present at Yankee Stadium this weekend — Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus (a former teammate of Beltran) — and both said they think he’s already earned a spot in Cooperstown regardless of how the remainder of his career plays out.
- While the Red Sox are reportedly seeking both starters and relievers on the trade market, skipper John Farrell wouldn’t identify specific trade needs for his club when asked by WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Instead, Farrell chose to focus his comments on a need to get his team’s best players healthy. Farrell specifically mentioned Brock Holt, who has yet to pass IMPACT testing to clear him to return from the concussion he is currently battling. Farrell also took the opportunity to praise the replacement for Holt (and Blake Swihart), Chris Young, for his contributions in the clubhouse and on the diamond. Meanwhile, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald tweeted yesterday that Farrell later added the hope for Holt is that he’ll be able to embark on a minor league rehab assignment this week.
Ubaldo is by far the worst pitcher in the league. We have Gallardo coming back soon and once he comes back there’s no way we can keep Ubaldo in the rotation.
Ok, Gallardo is coming back, and that may solve the Ubaldo problem. What can be done about the Wilson and Wright problems? Worley may be the solution to one of them.
Latos was just released by the White Sox, perhaps he’d be an option. The Astros have Feldman in the bullpen, they can’t be happy about paying him $8MM to be a long reliever. The O’s seem to be linked to Cashner, whose ground ball tendencies might play better here than in SD.(although he is on the DL with a sprained neck at the moment). The Pirates have Vogelsong in their pen, he was pretty serviceable as a starter in SF the past three years. Those are potential solutions. The question is the cost,
Vogelsong is also on the DL after getting HBP in the face.
I still feel we need to trade for another starter..outside Tillman & Gausman..extreme inconsistency and pure terribleness. Hope when Gallarado comebacks he can at least live to his past track record of a 3.50-4.00 ERA. Still, one more we need to win the division.
The best pitcher prob on trade block is the Braves Julio Teahan, who would cost a bit. Knowing Orioles prob aim more middle guys. Like Jerermy Hellickson, Rich Hill, Ervin Santana,or younger 27 year olds
Padres Drew Pomeranz , Red’s Dan Straily, or r Brewer’s Chase Anderson and Jimmy Nelson. Lucky if A’s dealing Sonny gray who terrible start, but 26 with great track record
Most likely some like Hillickson, Dan Straily..hope one of the Brewer’s starters is on block. If bet knowing O’Ss.I bet Hellickson .
One other outfielder by nice, unless start Trumbo in right and make Alverez everyday DH. Kim/Rickard/Riemold better bench. Matt Kemp or more so Josh Reddick look nice, old friend Steve Pearce is back to 2014 form, Still pissed about Dexter Fowler, given the year he is having too…he fit way more in than Alverez who can’t play any field
With one more decent pitcher, think we have shot a division and good shot wild card
Tillman
Gausman
Gallarado
Hellickson/etc
Wilson, Wright, Ubaldo, Someone else
I agree. Orioles would likely go mid-pack for a starter. I would try to be creative and grab Santana – cheap on prospects, expensive in salary. Save the farm for another trade.
Also… Maybe a trade for Tim Lincecum. He has a 2.65 ERA (2.73 FIP) down in AAA. Could be a great get!
Kim should play everyday. He hits for average instead of attempting to lead the league in strikeouts….
Gallardo is a problem too
I don’t know if Ubaldo is the worst pitcher in the league, but he certainly is a poor pitcher who is allowed to remain in the rotation due to his massive contract. Gallardo, hopefully, will bounce him from the rotation this week and Ubaldo can hit the bullpen to work out his mechanics. Maybe he can lock back in and be able to find a spot later in the season. I don’t hold out much hope that Gallardo (who will certainly be cut after this season) will post anything below a 3.50 ERA.
However, if poor performance continues, I’d expect to have the Orioles cut him mid-season next year. This is a bad contract.
Now that Severino is in the international league… you are correct.
Back to troll???
It would be absolutely amazing if Venters came back, I wish him nothing but the best!
Agreed. Watching him back when he was healthy was a wonder to see. That sinker in the high 90s was really something!
Pomeranz and Rodney for Espinoza or Devers, Brian Johnson, Trey Ball, and Wendell Rijo. Thoughts? I feel like I may have given too much to the Padres
No way the Red Sox ever give up that much potential. Pomeranz probably wouldn’t fair well at Fenway with the Monster either.
One more pitcher…Hellickson, Brewer’s Jimmy Nelson or Chase Anderson, Padres’ Polmeraz, Red’s Dan Straily, A’s Rich Hill (rather young Sonny Gray), of course Julio Tehan is the best, but prob asking price out range
Even with Dombrowski at the helm I think Espinoza is untouchable. I would gladly do that deal even with Devers but not Espinoza.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Red Sox get Doug Fister for a mid level prospect. He’s seen a mini rejuvenation in Houston and could help a contender out.
Maybe the Sox can trade for Scott Kazmir or Jason Hammel
I say they give him an option, go to the minors or we cut you! (Not the literal cut). I hate to say it but I think give brach a spot start and see how does. He has the pitches to be a starter. I know the whole stealing from Paul to give to Peter thing but a mid level reliever is easier to get than a mid grade starter. Plus the line up can get the run support needed to make up for the loss of an ace reliever.