Rockies Talking With Yankees and Others Regarding Ubaldo Jimenez

One major speed bump in getting Ubaldo out of town and in pinstripes will be just how much the Rockies taper their ambitious demands. As customary at the beginning of most trade talks, the gap between the two teams is dramatically larger than the space between the numbers on former Giant Jim Burt’s jersey. Right now Colorado is asking for pitching prospects Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances, starter Ivan Nova who was unceremoniously sent to the minors a couple weeks ago, Jesus Montero and — swiping a page from King Joffrey’s book — the head of Derek Jeter. Upon hearing such demands, it’s a safe bet increasingly candid GM Brian Cashman burped into the phone and hung up. But to be completely fair to the Rockies, O’Dowd did say flatout say it would take a “Herschel Walker type deal” for him to pull the trigger on Ubaldo.

Jimenez has been all over the place this season but his contract is attractive, giving Colorado all the more reason to keep him unless they are blown away with an offer. He’s only making $2.8 million this year and stands to make $4.2 million next year. He does, however, have two team options in 2013 and 2014, the latter of which can be voided if the Rockies ship him out of town. And yes, right here is where we are obliged to mention that his wild delivery tends to make scouts “uneasy” and “leery.”

The Rockies are also said to be conversing with the Red Sox, naturally making the Yankees extra twitchy and eager to be fleeced, along with the Tigers and Reds, though 90% of said chatter is rumored to be nothing more than playful text message banter among the GMs.

Yankees, others talking to Rockies about right-hander Jimenez [SI]

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