MLB Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays still interested in Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez

By the time the Toronto Blue Jays end up signing Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana, it’s going to feel kind of anti-climactic. Both sides thought they could do better and pretended not to be interested in the other, but they might end up settling for each other anyway. That’s exciting for nobody.

We know the situation. The Blue Jays need help in the rotation if they are going to have any hope of not drowning in the American League East. Jimenez and Santana are both still hoping to cash in on big 2013 seasons for big money despite a diluted free agent market.

The Blue Jays, in particular, have feigned disinterest in the two best remaining free agent pitchers. Even still, Ken Rosenthal reports that they are still interested in both pitchers and will likely make an offer to one of them:

"The Toronto Blue Jays, in need of another starting pitcher, might finally be preparing to pounce.“The Jays have yet to make an offer to a free-agent starter, according to major league sources. But they have done extensive background work on right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, digging into his medical records, and also remain interested in righty Ervin Santana and other free agents, sources said.“Both Jimenez, 30, and Santana, 31, received qualifying offers from their previous clubs, forcing any other team that signs them to forfeit a high draft pick. The Jays, however, are in better position than most teams to sign one of the two – they hold “protected” picks at Nos. 9 and 11, and the first selection they could lose is No. 49 overall.”"

Arguments can be made for both guys, but the Blue Jays need to consider how they can maximize the impact of such a signing. That might nudge them towards Jimenez because of his ability to strike out hitters when he’s right. It will be interesting to see how things play out.