Philadelphia Phillies Make Cesar Jimenez Only Loser In Chad Billingsley Signing
By Mike Gibson
@papreps
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
On the transaction line in the newspaper this morning was the simple fact that the Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent right-hander Chad Billingsley to a one-year deal for $1.5 million.
In reality, it was much more than that, because in one swift stroke of a pen the Phillies essentially upgraded their talent level significantly, removing Cesar Jimenez from the 40-man roster to make room for Billingsley. It was an important upgrade and an example of the kind they need to make going forward, removing minor-league level talent and replacing it with proven major leaguers. Jimenez is likely a designated-for-assignment candidate headed to the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Allentown, Pa. That is where he belongs.
When healthy — and the Phillies appear satisfied that he is — Billingsley is a proven MLB talent. Jimenez, on the other hand, is not. In fact, there is a lot of data available questioning if Jimenez is a minor-league level talent, having gone 42-52 with a 3.25 ERA in 13 minor-league seasons. Left-handers are notorious late developers, but 13 years is more than a little ridiculous in the case of Jimenez. If he has not made his mark in the majors by now, he probably will not.
Billingsley, who, at 30, is the same age as Jimenez, is a different story. With the exception of rehab starts, the right-hander needed only three seasons in the minors before getting and staying in the majors. He was a double-digit winner for six straight seasons from 2007 through 2012, and his best season came in 2008 when he went 16-10 with a 3.14 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 200.2 innings.
While Billingsley for Jimenez is not a trade, it is the kind of talent swap the team needs to keep making.
Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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