Advanced Scouts at Coors Field watching Ubaldo Jimenez pitch (click picture to enlarge)
Over the past week the rumors that teams are interested in Ubaldo Jimenez have really begun to pick up steam.
Initially MLBTradeRumors.com reported that the Cincinnati Reds were interested in the right handed ace for the Colorado Rockies and the following day MLBTR posted a story by Denver Post Rockies beat writer Troy Renck stating that the Rockies do not have a lot to gain by trading Ubaldo, but also in that same blurb on MLBTR it says the Rockies are open to listening to offers. And then yesterday MLBTR ran the Ubaldo to Cincinnati rumor again. I must emphasize that the name of this website IS MLB Trade RUMORS dot com, so these are rumors, nothing concrete.
Logan and myself have sort of bantered back and forth on this website on whether or not the Rockies should trade Ubaldo. I tend to go back and forth, not really sold on trading him but if a team bombarded the Rockies with top prospects, including a couple that are major league ready, they would have to listen and think about it. Logan completely disagrees and makes a great argument on why the Rockies should keep Ubaldo.
Now today, the start of the second half of the season and only about two weeks from the trade deadline comes this tweet from Hall of Famer writer Tracy Ringolsby:
Let’s see, Ubaldo Jimenez pitching tonight for Rockies. At least 17 scouts showing up at Coors Field. Coincidence?
At least 17?! The Reds probably do not employ 17 scouts in total much less send 17 to watch Ubaldo pitch. Maybe two. Probably safe to say that if there are 17 scouts in attendance tonight then at least 10-12 teams are here checking out Ubaldo.
The picture at the top of this article is one I took while Ubaldo was on the mound and while it is hard to see most of those guys to the right of the fence leading to the tunnel are all taking notes. They are all chatting with each other like they know each other and not just to the guy to the right or left, guys two or three rows up or down. With my untrained eye I count 11 guys sitting in those seats that are not cheering and taking notes on something that doesn’t look like a scorebook. Ringolsby DOES know what a scout looks like, and probably knows most of them on a first name basis, so I would venture to say he is accurate in his count.
If the Rockies continue to lose in the coming week or two expect these rumors to gain steam. Follow those intimate with the organization (Renck, Ringolsby and Thomas Harding) and if they start writing about potential trades then something is definitely brewing.
PS. Alanna Rizzo is sitting behind me in the press box and she was just pointing out the advanced scouts to her producer. They are here, lurking like ghosts…something is brewing and it isn’t the team opposing the Rockies this weekend.
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10 comments
Andrew T. Fisher
July 14, 2011 at 7:51 PM (UTC -6)
In my opinion, a swarm of scouts at Ubaldo’s starts proves teams would be interested in acquiring him, which we already know. No doubt they want to see if he is over his early season demons. But it does not prove in any way, shape or form that Dan O’Dowd wants to or will deal Jimenez.
Travis Lay
July 30, 2011 at 9:44 PM (UTC -6)
UH-OH!
Travis Lay
July 14, 2011 at 7:53 PM (UTC -6)
No mention of O’Dowd in this piece. All rumors, but interesting rumors in my opinion.
Andrew T. Fisher
July 14, 2011 at 8:00 PM (UTC -6)
Well, if he just might be trade bait, O’Dowd has to be on board
Travis Lay
July 14, 2011 at 8:05 PM (UTC -6)
Sounds like a rumor to me.
Jerry
July 15, 2011 at 7:31 AM (UTC -6)
Watching him at the game last night (Thursday), I’d squash the trade rumors right now. Seems like he may lack a bit in mental toughness and all the speculation might likely impede his continued improvement. He may not be a #1 starter, but he’s better than anything else the Rox can put on the mound right now.
patrick
July 15, 2011 at 9:10 PM (UTC -6)
nice to read something objective for once. (Sorry but I just ran across this site). Getting a bit tired of the Thomas Harding articles on the Rox main website telling us nothing is wrong day in and day out and how dang great our sub .500 team is.
Adam
July 16, 2011 at 1:55 PM (UTC -6)
It would take some top prospects for me to approve a Ubaldo trade (which of course means nothing). But Drew Stubbs??? Wow.
Owl Tamale
July 16, 2011 at 4:21 PM (UTC -6)
Agreed, I saw the list of the names supposedly in the mix from the Cincinnati Reds and it was laughable. Bailey, who is always hurt and essentially a wash-out, Stubbs who isn’t an improvement on any of the outfielders they now have, Leake…if O’Dowd made that sort of trade he should be fired. I’m not saying Ubaldo is untouchable, but he has tremendous talent, and I don’t know what the fair value would be for him. I almost wonder if these rumors are O’Dowd’s way of somehow ‘motivating’ the team. I agree with an earlier comment that I don’t think that sort of thing would work with the Chief, and instead I’d assure him that he’s staying put for as long as he wants, unless something is cooking. I just really doubt it is, because, unless a team offers up some real young talent who can help ASAP, the only message it sends is ‘Game over.’
Boni
July 17, 2011 at 9:28 AM (UTC -6)
I’m a transplanted yankees fan (though I have taken quite a shine to the blake street bombers as well), so take this with a grain of salt if you must, but reading the yankees blogs the interest in ubaldo is pretty serious in new york. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the yankees put together an appealing package for the rockies ace (sorry jhoulys). they are the team which combines the most need with the most to offer. The yanks were willing to give up jesus montero last year for cliff lee and have manny banuelos and dellin betances polishing their craft in double a right now. All three are appealing prospects in their own right. does it seem possible that the rockies would give up their ace, who is under contract for seasons to come, for a major league ready bat and a potential top of the rotation starter? I’m not sure it makes sense to trade jimenez at the moment given the status of his contract and the likelihood that at least one of the two teams ahead in the division is likely to fall off, but if that cadre of yankees prospects was nearly enough to land cliff lee last year it might just be enough to convince the rockies to pull the trigger. 17 scouts aren’t there for the oysters, I’ll bet on that.