Last winter, the Orioles signed Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year, $50 million contract. This winter, they’re reportedly looking to get rid of Jimenez and the $38.75 million he’s still owed. Via MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby…
Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who made only two starts and three relief appearances in the final 41 games of the regular season and didn’t appear in a postseason game, is being made available by the Baltimore Orioles, according to Major League sources.
The Orioles have discussed Jimenez with several teams during the GM Meetings being held in Phoenix this week.
Jimenez was essentially a non-factor for the Orioles in 2014, despite their 96-66 record and AL East title. He only tossed 125 1/3 innings, and pitched to a 4.81 ERA on the season. He missed a month of the season in the middle of the summer because of a sprained ankle, and had a 5.96 ERA in 25 2/3 innings after returning from the injury.
This is nothing new for the 30-year old, though – Jimenez had a 2.88 ERA in 2010, a 4.68 ERA in 2011, a 5.40 ERA in 2012, and went back to 3.30 in 2013 before cashing in with Baltimore. His average fastball velocity has plummeted over that time period as well. Given the facts that he wouldn’t cost a team a draft pick and that the Orioles would more than likely be willing to eat some of that contract,
[MLB.com]
