Why Ubaldo Jimenez would be a good signing for the Yankees

As the Yankees fill out their 2014 roster, some big names are still available and on the team's radar. One such player is free agent starter Ubaldo Jimenez.

Multiple General Managers believe the former Cleveland Indians pitcher could sign with the Yankees, even if they land Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

2013 was a tale of two seasons for Jimenez, who compiled a 13-9 record with a 3.30 ERA. The first half of the season was nothing special for the righty, as he went 7-4 with an ERA of 4.56.

The second half was the complete opposite, as he went 6-5 with a stunning 1.82 ERA. His WHIP went from 1.490 in the first half to 1.143 in the latter part of the season.

Anytime the Yankees sign a pitcher, there is always a question as to how the pitcher will fair with the short porch in right field. Though a fair question, it may not be a big deal for Jimenez partially because he only gave up 5 home runs to right field in 2013.

Another good sign is that Jimenez only gave up 16 home runs and only 3 of them came after the all-star break.

He also did well against AL East teams that weren't the Yankees. Against the Red Sox, the Orioles, the Blue Jays, and the Rays he put up a solid 2.73 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .200 batting average against him.

Also, Brian McCann is a very good and experienced game-caller. He could help Jimenez with pitch selection.

The Yankees have a question they need to ask themselves if they don't sign Tanaka; Do they really have a chance at the postseason without adding a starter? The answer they will likely come to is "probably not".

Their rotation is full of question marks as of now. CC Sabathia, the team's ace, struggled with decreased velocity in 2013. He went 14-13 with a shaky ERA of 4.78, a career high. He also set career worsts in H/9, HR/9, and K/9. Much of the staff's success will depend on Sabathia rebounding and learning to pitch with diminished velocity.

Hiroki Kuroda will be 39 come opening day and finished the 2013 season poorly, as he compiled a very high ERA of 5.44 after August 1st.

As bad as Sabathia was, Ivan Nova was phenomenal. Nova went 9-6 with a stellar ERA of 3.10 (a career best) and posted career bests in ERA+ (130), H/9 (8.7), HR/9 (0.6), BB/9 (2.8), WHIP (1.285), complete games (3), and shutouts (2). But the question with him is whether he can put that success together again in 2014.

Right now, those are the only locks for the rotation. Michael Pineda, David Phelps, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno and David Huff while battle for the fifth spot in Spring Training. They need at least one more and Jimenez may be one of the best options around.

If the Yankees get Tanaka and Jimenez, the conversation becomes more upbeat as they would have a complete rotation.

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