Supply & Demand
Contacttower, Its a case of supply and demand and depends on the nature of the operator. At the moment most operators want type rated pilots because, as you say, there are plenty of experienced, type rated pilots sloshing around.
However, a few operators with enthusiastic expansion plans will bond those without the relevant type rating - especially if that operator is putting in a purchase order for newly certified aircraft where experienced type rated candidates are few and far between.