Major League Baseball

Orioles reach deal with free-agent Ubaldo Jimenez

Published Feb. 17, 2014 7:27 p.m. ET

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The Orioles have made their first big move of the offseason, reaching agreement with free-agent right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, pending a physical, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

Rosenthal also confirmed that the agreement was "close" to the four-year, $48 million deal reported by Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

Jimenez, 30, has mostly disappointed since 2010, when he won 19 games for the Rockies with a 2.88 ERA and finished third in the National League Cy Young voting. Last year, his second full season in Cleveland, his numbers rebounded from a dismal 2012 (9-17, 5.40 ERA) as he pitched strongly down the stretch. After the All-Star break, Jimenez pitched to an American League-best 1.82 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 84 innings. In September, Jimenez helped the Indians claim an AL wild card spot by going 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA, recording 51 Ks and only seven walks.

His 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 2013 marked the highest K-rate of his career.

Jimenez became a free agent after declining the Indians one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer, electing to seek a multiyear deal.

Rosenthal reported over the weekend that the Orioles were willing to part with a draft pick to sign a free-agent hurler such as Jimenez.

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