Ubaldo Jimenez is still unsigned as some teams have already kicked off their Spring Training, but sources added that the free agent pitcher is still drawing interests from several clubs.
The Boston Globe reported that several teams are very interested in adding Jimenez to their starting rotation, but most of them are still playing the waiting game, waiting for the right hander to drop his asking price.
Sources said that the former Cleveland Indians pitcher already dropped his asking price from the original $14-million-per-year demand, but the price drop is still not enough to attract more teams. Sources added though that willing-spenders like the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays are expected to make a pitch anytime soon.
"There's still the feeling that Jimenez's price hasn't dropped enough to warrant a team jumping in hard, especially with the draft compensation attached. The Blue Jays and Yankees could still be possibilities," the Boston Globe noted.
Previous reports indicated that the Blue Jays are favored to land the 30-year-old pitcher, who went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA last season. Jimenez view the Blue Jays as a good potential landing spot compared to the Yankees, whose starting rotation is crowded with big names like CC Sabathia and recently-signed Masahiro Tanaka.
"Toronto is said to be waiting before making offers considering the unknown market to date. One exec who knows Jimenez well said he believes Toronto would be an ideal fit for Jimenez, a smart and worldly sort," John Heyman of CBS Sports recently reported.
The Indians, who tendered a $14.1-million qualifying offer to Jimenez but was snubbed by the eight-year veteran, are still considered as a potential landing spot. Jimenez might accept a one-year deal from the Indians in hopes of rebuilding his stock in the coming season to command bigger contract next offseason.
However, in an interview with the Boston Globe, Indians bench Brad Mills sounded like the Indians have already made a decision not to pursue Jimenez anymore.
"Ubaldo pitched great for us. He's a big loss, but we've moved on with some guys we think can do the job," Mills stressed.
By tendering a qualifying offer late last year, the Indians are entitled to get a high draft pick from the team who will land the service of their former starting pitcher.
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