Did the Orioles just salvage their offseason?
Many O’s fans had been very skeptical of the reports circulating that the team was seriously considering giving up their first-round pick in the 2014 amateur draft in order to sign either Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana, or Kendrys Morales. However, they did just that on Monday evening, reportedly agreeing to terms with Jimenez on a four-year deal (obligatory: pending physical).
It’ll be interesting to see what sold the team on Jimenez over Santana – who at least anecdotally seemed to be the more desired option among the fan base – but the end result is that they have addressed their most glaring need heading into the 2014 season.
Jimenez, 30, was 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA last year for Cleveland. His FIP came in at 3.43, while his ERA+ was 114. Per Steve Melewski of MASN, Ubaldo was dominant in the second half last year, putting up a 1.82 ERA after the All-Star break, including going 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA over six starts in September, during which he pitched 41.1 IP, walking seven and striking out 51.
His best year was 2010, when he went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA for Colorado, finishing third in Cy Young voting. The fewest innings he’s pitched since 2008 were 176 in 2012, and he’s been over 182 every other year since.
Of course there are some pointing out his deficiencies, with Matt Snyder of CBSSports going so far as to say the O’s “gamble is unlikely to pay off.”
So, essentially, what we’re looking at with Jimenez is a pitcher who was lights out for 14 starts in 2010 and great for 12 starts to finish the 2013 season. Put those together and it’s not even one full season. And otherwise, in the past four years, Jimenez has been anywhere from relatively average to downright dreadful.
Blah, blah, blah.
I’m inclined to agree with former minor leaguer Don Olsen, who points out the following:
Does Ubaldo Jimenez have warts in his game? yes! At the end of the day, guys without warts in their game cost you $200 million these days.
— Don Olsen (@Olsen_Don) February 18, 2014
No, the O’s weren’t going to spend $200 million. Most of us are shocked they even spent the reported $48-50M that Jimenez will receive, especially knowing Peter Angelos’ stance on paying guys “who work every fifth day.”
But here we are – they put their money where their mouths were. Of course it’s a risk – but it’s one they had to be willing to take.
Most importantly, this move shows that the team wasn’t just blowing smoke all winter while talking about acquiring a veteran starting pitcher. They are committed to winning right now, with their current core intact (who knows where Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, and Matt Wieters will be in a few years), which is music to the ears of much of Birdland.
Interestingly enough, now that they’ve sacrificed their first-round pick for Jimenez, it would only take their second-round pick to acquire Kendrys Morales to be the everyday designated hitter. Maybe the O’s aren’t done yet.
Welcome to #Ubaldomore.
