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Multiple unnamed General Managers have told the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo that the Yankees could sign free agent right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez even if the team signs the recently-posted Masahiro Tanaka.
The respective GM's Cafardo spoke to also told him Jimenez "has the personality that would fit New York," and "he doesn't let things get to him. He's good at shrugging things off and turning the page."
Jimenez, who turns 30 next month, pitched to a 3.30 ERA and 3.43 FIP in 2013. His solid season came thanks to a strong second half (13 starts, 1.82 ERA, 2.17 FIP) after getting out of the gates slowly in the first half (19 starts, 4.56 ERA, 4.50 FIP). His 2013 also came after two seasons in 2011-2012 in which he pitched to an underwhelming 5.03 ERA and 4.35 FIP split between the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Indians.
Although the Yankees may be willing to go on some sort of additional spending spree if (when) they get over the $189 million mark, it'd be nice if they allocated their money to someone who isn't as erratic as Ubaldo Jimenez. Yes, the team would still have one rotation spot to fill even if they land Tanaka, but, personally, I'd much rather have that spot filled by one of Michael Pineda, David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, Adam Warren, etc., than give Jimenez something like $17-18MM per year for the next five or so years. Then again, aside from this Cafardo rumor, the Yankees haven't shown much interest in Jimenez, as well as Matt Garza and Ervin Santana, anyway.
