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CLEVELAND -- Ubaldo Jimenez bounced back for the Indians this season. Buccaneers Lavonte David Camo Jersey . Now, he may bounce away. The right-hander became a free agent on Friday after the club exercised his $8 million club option for next season and Jimenez voided it. After going 9-17 in 2012 and leading the AL in losses, Jimenez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA this season, including 4-0 in September. The 29-year-old was Clevelands most consistent pitcher in the second half of the season, helping the Indians clinch their first playoff spot since 2007. It was a remarkable turnaround by Jimenez, who had been mostly a disappointment since Cleveland acquired him from Colorado at the trading deadline in 2011. The Indians can make him a $14.1 million qualifying offer by Monday, and he would have a week to accept. If he declines, the Indians would receive a 2014 first-round draft pick if he signs with another team. Also, the Indians declined their $7.5 million club option on outfielder Jason Kubel. He was acquired from Arizona on Aug. 20. Jimenez was at his best when the Indians needed him most. He went 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA after the All-Star break, but Jimenez turned it on in the final month of the season as the Indians closed in on a playoff berth. He posted a 1.09 ERA in six starts in September, leading AL pitchers in innings and strikeouts. In his final start of the season at Minnesota, Jimenez matched a career-high with 13 strikeouts as the Indians clinched a wild-card berth. After he struggled in April, Indians fans were ready to give up on Jimenez, who went 19-8 for the Rockies in 2010 but rarely showed that form during his first one-plus seasons in Cleveland. But manager Terry Francona insisted upon sticking with him and pitching coach Mickey Callaway was able to get the most out of Jimenez. Jimenez was appreciative of the loyalty the Indians showed him, but it might not be enough to keep him around as hell be one of the top free agent pitchers available. During his season-ending exit interview, Jimenez told general manager Chris Antonetti he appreciated the confidence the Indians showed in him. "Ubaldo was very complimentary of Tito (Francona) and his relationship with Mickey, and how much he valued his time here," Antonetti said. Jimenez and Kubel joined relievers Matt Albers, Joe Smith and Rich Hill, starter Scott Kazmir and catcher Kelly Shoppach as free agents. Buccaneers Mike Evans Black Jersey . John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev. Buccaneers Alterraun Verner Limited Jersey . Evan Oberg opened the scoring for the Wolves (31-17-6) 9:27 into the first period and Ty Rattie added an insurance goal at 12:17 of the third while Abbotsfords Shane OBrien was serving a double minor for high sticking.It was third time in three meetings this season between the Jets and Blues that the game has been decided by one goal. The Jets won the first meeting 4-3 in a shootout with the Blues winning 3-2 in the game played in St. Louis. With the loss the Jets record drops back to an even .500 at 14-14-4. Its now four straight games at the MTS Centre without a win. The teams played through a scoreless first period with the Jets outshooting the Blues 8-2 with another 10 shots by the Jets blocked, and four missing the net. So in total the Jets directed 22 shots at Blues goaltender Brian Elliott. The first goal of the game at 4:44 of the second period and again it was Alexander Steen doing the damage. It was his 21st of the year. It was a shot from the corner that Ondrej Pavelec would say was a mistake post-game. “When you dont get a lot of shots, its hard to keep your focus,” he said. “And thats what happened, I lost my focus.” The shots in the second were 8-5 Blues. The Jets tied the game in the third on a power play goal by Brian Little. It was the first power play goal by a Jets forward since Blake Wheeler scored in St. Louis Oct. 29. All the Jets power play goals in between came from Dustin Byfuglin (four) and Keaton Ellerby (one). It was Littles 13th goal of the season and snapped an eight game goalless stretch. In the game in St. Louis the Jets killed off the first five Blues power plays with Steeen scoring on the sixth for the Blues win. http://www.buccaneersstore.us.com/Black-12-Josh-Mccown-Womens-Jersey/. Jets were two-for-two on the penalty kill when Byfuglien was called for hooking, giving the Blues another chance to put the NHLs No. 2 power play to work. A shot by Kevin Shattenkirk went off Little, fluttered towards the net looking like it would go over the goal. But it ran out of steam, dropping and catching the top corner. That would be the winner with 3:02 left in the third. The final shots were 21-20 in a close-checking game that at times lacked emotion. “It was a chess match played game,” offered Coach Claude Noel. “We played a pretty good game, just didnt finish it. They ended up scoring the seeing-eye power play goal – what can you do? Our neutral zone forecheck was good, we did the things we had to do to win the game 2-1. Its disappointing. We were good enough to win. Our power play was good, really moved the puck around.” Byfuglien led the way in ice time at 28:49, Jacob Trouba led the way in hits with five. The Jets are now 3-10-2 within the Central Division, while being above .500 against every other division. The Jets were again minus Evander Kane, who is out with a lower body injury. Also out with injury were Paul Postma, Jim Slater and Zach Bogosian. There are two more home games this week for the Jets, against Colorado on Thursday (TSN Jets, TSN 1290) and Dallas Saturday afternoon (TSN 1290). ' ' ' |
