With the trade deadline fast-approaching, rumors about this player going there, that player going here, and all that fun stuff are filling up the headlines. One rumor I've heard a lot about lately is that the Rockies and Yankees are working on a deal that would send Ubaldo Jimenez to the Bronx. 

At first I was excited about this deal, remembering Jimenez's stellar season in 2010, in which he posted a sparkling 2.88 ERA and a 19-8 record.

But after hearing what the Rockies wanted in return for Ubaldo, my excitement ceased to exist - not only because I didn't think the Yankees would do it, but because I didn't want them to. 

The Yankee have a very deep Minor League system with a lot of catching and pitching depth. Even so, I think it is silly to empty the farm on one guy. Rumor has it, the Rockies wanted star catching prospect Jesus Montero, 2/3 of the Killer B pitchers in Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, and rookie contributor, Ivan Nova. All four of those players are players that countless Yankees fans and I are extremely excited about. 

I'm sorry Rockies, but that's just too much.

Overall, the Yankees pitching has been very solid this season, and I think it has exceeded everyone's expectations. CC Sabathia is having the best season of his career so far, with a league leading 14 wins, and an amazing 2.64 ERA. Bartolo Colon had a freakishly-dominant first half. Although struggling a little in 2 starts in a row, I am not worried about Colon. I heard rumblings of the Blue Jays stealing signs in the game Colon was knocked out early in, so I just disregard that game. So he struggled once after coming off the hamstring injury. Even though the Yankees lost last night, it was not Colon's fault. He looked like the pitcher Yankee fans are so accustomed to seeing last night. Phil Hughes is back, and though I personally did not see the game he last pitched, I heard he actually did well for a change. So maybe he's back. A.J. Burnett has been better this season than he was last, and Freddy Garcia has been solid as well. And don't forget - the Yankees had to send down Ivan Nova, the rookie with an 8-4 record who seemed to perform better each time - in order to make room on the roster for Hughes. Although you can never have too much pitching, I have to admit, I am not disappointed in this staff at all. The Yankees pitching overall has a 3.52 ERA, which is better than both the Rays and Red Sox. 

I know that in this game, it is almost impossible to get something for nothing, so if the Yankees want to go out and get a good pitcher, teams are well aware of their farm, and want the most they can get from them. But I really do think the Ubaldo Jimenez deal is a little over the top. I know some people laugh at this, but honestly, I would prefer a pitcher from the AL because I "trust" them more, and also so the Yankees would no longer have to face him. I don't follow the Rockies, but I see that Ubaldo Jimenez has a 4.00 ERA. Is he good enough this year to deplete the farm on?

I really don't think the Yankees need to go after a big-name guy like Jimenez. I mean, they already have CC Sabathia, a big-name, big-money, and big-production pitcher. With the rotation they have, or rather, the numbers that their guys have put up, do they really need another ace-type pitcher? I say, save the farm. Scout around, look for a less expensive (players-wise) solution. Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have proven to be beyond-great signings so far, and I'm sure there are guys like them available.

If the Yankees can't win unless they add an ace-type guy to the staff, then maybe they don't deserve to win. I have said it before and I will say it again: at the start of the 2011 season, I did not expect the Yankees to win with the pitchers they had. They have all surprised me. Sure, I think there is always room for improvement, especially in the pitching department, but I really don't want to empty the farm. Ubaldo Jimenez will not guarantee a championship, so why jeopardize the future? I think the real problem for the Yankees right now is the lack of offensive production. With Alex Rodriguez out, and no lineup tweaks having been made as of now, the offense is not performing the way I think it should be. 

I really don't think this deal is going to happen, but I don't think Brian Cashman is going to nothing. The trade deadline always makes me nervous. I hope the Yankees are wise in their acquisitions this year like they were in 2009 when they won it all.

by Virginia Califano

Questions? Comments? Contact Virginia at pinstripepartisan@fanvsfan.com