The New York Yankees headed into this weekend hoping to make a deal for right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez or Hiroki Kuroda to fill a void in the pitching rotation. However, it doesn't look like the Bronx Bombers are going to get either guy.
According to multiple sources, Jimenez is headed to the Cleveland Indians after negotiations with the Yankees broke down four days ago. The NY Post's Joel Sherman is reporting that the Rockies wanted a high-end prospect and good pitcher that they could place in the rotation right now. Unfortunately, the Yankees were not will to deal that much talent for an inconsistent starter.
"Yankees took all Rockies wanted off (the) table," Sherman wrote via Twitter. "Banuelos, Betances, Montero, Nova -- and offered Hughes and others."
In another tweet, Sherman shared this information:
"Post has learned that Yankees asked Rockies 4 days ago to do physical on Jimenez if deal agreed to, Col refused, so Yanks bowed out."
Meanwhile, SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that Kuroda is not going to waive his no-trade clause and stay a Los Angeles Dodger.
So, the question is what do they Yankees do now since there is not another good starting pitcher to trade for? I think Brian Cashman did the right move on not giving up a lot of young prospects for either pitcher, who each are above average pitchers. But, with a thin starting rotation, which features an old Bartolo Colon, an inexperienced Ivan Nova, an inconsistent A.J. Burnett and a struggling Phill Hughes, it will be interesting to see how the season pans out. So far, the rotation has worked out. I would not panic if I were a Yankees fan.