Baltimore Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez Trade Discussions

Jun 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) is congratulated by first baseman Chris Davis (19) after being taken out of the game in the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

The Baltimore Orioles have been reported over the past 24 hours to be in possible trade discussions with the San Diego Padres involving Ubaldo Jimenez.

The obvious problem for the Orioles right now is that they are getting zero bang for the buck from the $13 million hole in the rotation. The guy has not seen the pitching mound in two weeks. In other news, the O’s pitching staff has had an ERA under 3.00 since that time. Probably just a coincidence.

So why would the Padres want to have the maestro of moving parts? By trading back Melvin Upton and his even larger salary for this year and next, they save a few million dollars. They are also seeking a prospect from the O’s.

Without the prospect, I’d do this deal every day and three times on Sunday. With a prospect included? Well, it depends who the prospect is, but I’d work hard to make it happen.

Joey Rickard is out four to six weeks, and he is the best backup for Adam Jones and his quirky back. The Orioles also lost their only speed threat in Rickard, though Julio Borbon provides that at this point. But Upton can fly, especially by Baltimore standards. He has swiped 20 bases this year (7^th best in MLB), whereas the entire Orioles team has only 13! Consider this: there are 19 players in MLB who have more SBs individually than does the O’s team.

Upton is currently batting .259 in 91 games with 16 home runs. He does strike out a good bit, but we’re used to that.

So where does Hyun Soo Kim fit with this? Probably at DH with Upton in left field and Trumbo in right. Pedro Alvarez would be the one to lose the most.

Thinking longer-term, the Orioles are probably not going to be able to afford to keep Trumbo next year, so this covers for a bit of that loss, while also not having to have Jimenez around again.

There is more news this morning of a second discussion with the Padres …

Source: #Orioles pursuing #Padres’ Cashner in addition to Upton. Separate deals.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 23, 2016

So how does this fit with the discussion above? Rosenthal says …

Upton deal with #Orioles would be Upton-for-Ubaldo with #Padres also seeking prospect. SD wants two prospects for Cashner, sources say.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 23, 2016

Please! NO! No matter how many writers out there say that this is a certain upgrade for the Orioles, the numbers simply do not prove it … especially this year. Baltimore needs pitchers who can go deeper into games, right? Well, Andrew Cashner has made 15 starts this year and thrown 73.1 innings … less than five innings per start. His ERA is 4.79. Last year it was 4.43. His WHIP number for the two years are 1.425 … in San Diego.

Indeed, his stats in 2012 and 2013 were very good. If that is the pitcher who would come to Baltimore, then maybe it could be thought about. But for two prospects?