MLB Trade Rumors: Ubaldo Jimenez and the 8 Best Pitchers on the Block

Starting pitching is usually key in the playoffs, and that is why during the MLB trade deadline, most contenders are always looking to add more of it.

That is what makes this deadline tough.

The starting pitching market is incredibly thin, and even the guys who are available have certain question marks.

Whether it is injury concerns, lack of consistency or age, teams are weary of most of the names on the block right now.

On top of that, because the market is so weak, teams are driving up the prices in hopes of finding someone desperate.

Here's a look at the top pitchers who's names have been floating around in the past week or so, and just what it is that makes them risky.  

Javier Vazquez

Potential suitors might be more interested in Florida starters such as Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco or Josh Johnson, but Danny Knobler reports that the team isn't listening to offers on those guys.

That leaves Javier Vasquez. This would have seemed ridiculous a month ago, but in his last six starts, Vasquez has put together a 1.70 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with a 29:3 K:BB ratio.

He is suddenly on the radar.

Vazquez has shown twice with New York that he doesn't seem comfortable on a big market, so perhaps someone like the Reds, Indians or Tigers would be interested.

However, Vazquez is owed somewhere around $4 million for the rest of the season. It doesn't seem like any of those teams would be willing to take an expensive risk on a guy who was on the verge of losing his starting spot earlier this year.  

Throw in the fact that Vazquez has a no-trade clause, and his chances of being dealt appear to be slim. 

Derek Lowe

The Atlanta Braves are right in the thick of a playoff race, but Derek Lowe's name has popped up multiple times. 

Derek Lowe is currently the most expensive player on the Braves' roster, as he is owed around $6 million this year and $15 million in 2012.

Getting rid of the 38-year-old would free up payroll for a run at someone like Hunter Pence this year or a free agent in the winter. 

It was first leaked that the Tigers were interested in Lowe, but Jerry Crasnick reported that the Braves would have to pick up around 75 percent of Lowe's remaining contract. But with the main reason of trading Lowe being a salary dump, that seems very unlikely.

With Lowe's reputation for being a big-game pitcher, teams should be interested. Look for the Yankees or Red Sox to give him a hard look.  

Obviously for this deal to happen, the Braves would have to be confident in Brandon Beachy's ability to shoulder a load in the playoffs, and it appears they are.  

Aaron Harang

With an ERA of 3.29, Aaron Harang is currently on pace to break his career best mark. Whether that comes from pitching in Petco Park or not, Harang is drawing interest.

Set to make a little over $1 million for the rest of the season, and with a buyout in 2012, Harang is one of the more inexpensive top pitching targets, causing the teams like the Indians and Tigers to take a look.

Harang has pitched a total of 30 innings for an American League team, but he does sport a 3.31 ERA in 26 interleague starts.

The 33-year-old isn't flashy, but he won't command top dollar, and he is a consistent veteran that can serve as a nice piece for a playoff run.  

Erik Bedard

With injury concerns surrounding Erik Bedard at the beginning of the year, no one really expected much of the 32-year-old.

After a few shaky starts to open the season, Bedard turned himself into the ace the Mariners were waiting for, putting together a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and an 8.5 SO/9 ratio. 

It seemed like Bedard was going to be one of the hottest names at the deadline, but then he went down with a sprained knee.

If the injury was another one to his shoulder, absolutely no one would be interested, but this is much more of a minor injury, and Bedard should get one start before the deadline to prove himself healthy.

If he appears healthy and retains the same velocity, Bedard should attract some suitors. His contract is minimal and he's a free agent at the end of the season, so even if he's an injury risk, he's not a long term one.

Bedard won't attract the same amount of value that he would have three weeks ago, but if the Mariners are confident they can re-sign him in the winter, why not rent him out to a contender?  

Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda is having possibly his best season at age 36, with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.20.

He is a free agent after the season, but it might be an expensive rental.

Kuroda is still owed a little under $5 million for the rest of the season, but it doesn't stop there.

The 36-year-old has a no-trade clause, and has said that he will require some sort of compensation to waive it.

The Red Sox and Yankees are obviously two teams that have the salary to make that type of acquisition, but Kuroda supposedly doesn't want to leave the west coast.

Still though, a lot of teams want Kuroda, and if he is "convinced" to leave the West Coast, he will become a very popular name. 

Wandy Rodriguez

Buster Olney reports that the Houston Astros are willing to move left-hander,  Wandy Rodriguez.

Just one problem though.

They apparently want as much for Rodriguez as the Rockies want for all-star Ubaldo Jimenez. Wandy Rodriguez is having a terrific year, sure, but his contract through 2014 is worth about $43 million, while Jimenez's is around $22 million.

For all you non-mathematicians out there, that's not the same value.

The Astros are supposedly asking for too much for Hunter Pence, and it appears they will do the same thing with Wandy Rodriguez. I'd be surprised if he is dealt at the deadline. 

James Shields

James Shields has entered the rumor block as of late, and according to Buster Olney, the Reds are interested.

Shields is under team control through 2014, but he also has a buyout of $2 million for next year, so teams looking for a rental and teams looking for long term help will both have a look.

The 29-year-old became an all-star for the first time this year (who didn't?), and he finally seems to be hitting that potential that everyone has been waiting for.

He's sporting a 2.60 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and an 8.8 SO/9 ratio. He has been terrific.

While some teams might be weary because of his struggles the last few seasons, the pitching market is weak, and he could bring in some serious value for the small market Rays.

Shields is just the type of workhorse (seven complete games) that a team would like for the playoffs. 

Ubaldo Jimenez

You've probably read all you've wanted to read on Ubaldo Jimenez so far. Rumors surrounding the 27-year-old picked up about two weeks ago, and haven't slowed down since.

And who can blame teams on their infatuation?

Jimenez turned into an absolute stud last season, and while he has battled with a bit of a down-tick in velocity this year, he's only allowed more than two runs twice (he allowed three in both of those starts) since the start of June. 

Money-wise, for his talent and age, Jimenez is about as inexpensive as it gets. He is set to make $4.2 million next year, and has reasonable club options in 2013 and 2014.

You can see why, then, that the Rockies are asking for the farm for their young stud. In recent negotiations with the Yankees they named their expensive price: top prospects Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos and starter Ivan Nova.

Yikes.

If that remains the price, I don't see Jimenez being dealt this year, as teams will always have his current decrease in stats festering in the back of their heads.