MLB Trade Rumors: Ubaldo Jimenez Garners 17 Scouts; Where Will He Land?

Apparently when the news broke that Ubaldo Jimenez might be on the market, Major League Baseball executives were listening.

When Jimenez started last night versus the Milwaukee Brewers, there were supposed to be 17 scouts at the game according to FOXSports.com’s Tracy Ringolsby, and they represented eight different teams. This very well might give an indication of where Jimenez may be moving.

Slight disclaimer: Some of the team scouts present were probably not there to see Jimenez. You'll see which ones I mean.

Detroit Tigers

I think that Detroit could be a nice trade partner for Colorado.

The Tigers already have an ace in Justin Verlander, but Jimenez would definitely be the second-best starter on the team.

Jimenez would also benefit from pitching in Comerica Park, as opposed to in the thin air of Colorado.

Also, Detroit has one of the best offenses in baseball. With that type of run support, he should thrive.

I think that Jimenez could be a very nice fit in Detroit and help the Tigers take command of the AL Central, in which they are now tied for first.

Possibility of this trade happening: 15 percent

Atlanta Braves

I honestly do not see this one happening.

Starting pitching has not been their main problem this season.

The Braves have been one of the weakest hitting teams this year, ranking 18th in runs scored with only a .237 team batting average.

Conversely, they have the second-best ERA, as well as the second-fewest runs allowed in all of baseball.

With the rumors flying around about a possible Jair Jurrjens trade (which I also do not think will happen), I do not think that this scout from Atlanta was at all there for Jimenez.

Why would the Braves be shopping a starting pitcher if they are looking for another one?

Possibility of this trade happening: zero percent

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds were one of the first teams to be interested in Jimenez.

I think that it would be a very nice fit. Outside of Johnny Cueto, the Reds have had a lot of problems with their starting pitching.

They are now sitting four games back in the NL Central and, like always, have powerful bats that have driven in the most runs in the NL.

A legitimate No. 1 starting pitcher, which Jimenez is more than capable of being, would fill a gap that the Reds have had.

Possibility of this trade happening: 25 percent

New York Yankees

Whenever there is a big arm on the market, the Yankees are somewhere in the picture.

However, while I think that this deal could happen because the Yankees often times make things happen, I do not think it is the most likely situation.

Other than CC Sabathia and perhaps A.J. Burnett, there are some questions beyond that. However, those questions—Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon—have been performing very well this season, so that fact may lessen the need to find another arm.

Currently, the Yankees are 1.5 games back in the AL East, so the desire to beat the Red Sox might make this deal slightly more likely.

Nevertheless, I do not think that this deal is very likely because of the success with their current rotation. They were probably watching Jimenez, but I think other teams will beat them out.

Possibility of this trade happening: 10 percent

Philadelphia Phillies

How amazing would that starting rotation be?

Adding Jimenez to Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt once he returns would be one of the most star-studded rotations in recent memory.

Too bad that it will never happen.

The Phillies are having payroll issues as it is, and they need a right-handed bat.

I am incredibly confident that the Phillies were looking for someone else at this game.

Possibility of this trade happening: zero percent

St. Louis Cardinals

This trade might happen.

The NL Central is incredibly competitive this season with four teams essentially still in the race.

The Cardinals have the second-most runs scored in the National League this year, so offense is not really their problem.

Their starting pitching has not been that bad, but I could see this trade happening because St. Louis will want to stay ahead of Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Trading for Jimenez would be a definite improvement for the rotation, even though it has not been that awful, so I give this a pretty decent possibility.

Possibility of this trade happening: 15 percent

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are five games back in the AL Central.

They could use one more starting pitcher to join with Mark Buehrle and Phil Humber, since the rest of the rotation has been less than stellar.

Having a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter might be what the White Sox need to push their way back into the race.

They have a lot of ground to make up, so if they decide that they still want to be buyers, I could definitely see them making a play for Jimenez.

Possibility of this trade happening: 20 percent

Cleveland Indians

The Indians are tied on top of the AL Central.

They have a very young pitching rotation that is doing very well. A legitimate ace like Jimenez would be welcomed by these guys.

However, the Indians are average in the American League in terms of run production on offense, so that might be a bigger hole for them to fill.

I definitely think that this is a possibility, but I also think that the Indians will want to address their offensive production first.

Possibility of this trade happening: 15 percent