Updated as of 9:42 PM EST
Jimenez, who pitched the first inning tonight, did not come out for the second. That certainly sends the signal that the deal has been finalized.
Troy Renck (via Twitter) is reporting that the Colorado Rockies have traded Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians.
Renck has added, via Twitter, that the Rockies will receive Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and Matt McBride as part of the deal. In a separate tweet Renck has added that Joe Gardner is also headed to Colorado
Jimenez clearly has not been the same pitcher that he was in 2010, currently posting a 4.20 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. However, a lot of his struggles have actually come at Coors Field:
- Home – 5.55 ERA and 1.67 WHIP
- Road – 2.83 ERA and 0.99 WHIP
Is it as easy as getting him out of Coors Field? Probably not, considering his .247 BABIP away from home (as well as his 3.19 ERA at home in ’10), but it likely is a start. His bigger problem has been hitters simply hitting him harder then that have in year’s past, with a 20.8% line drive rate (18.1% for his career). He also has had some poor luck overall, with a .309 BABIP and 68.0% strand rate.
He has been pitching significantly better as of late. In June he posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.14 WHIP and in July he had a 3.77 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. The control is also back, with BB/9 of 2.01 and 2.32, respectively.
There will be some concern moving to the AL, and that is justifiable, but there is no reason to shy away from him in the least. He has begun looking like an ace pitcher and, while you may not want him as your SP1, as a #2 he is extremely good. He will slide into the #1 spot in the Indians rotation, making them that much more formidable in the AL Central. With Justin Masterson coming into his own, that could be an impressive 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
For the Rockies, it would appear that they have simply grown frustrated with Jimenez for whatever reason. There’s no real other way to put it. While it adds tremendous depth to their farm system, Jimenez is just 27-years old and is signed to what appears to be a team friendly contract. Still, it is time to turn the page.
Pomeranz (ranked as the Indians #4 prospect by Baseball America prior to the season) was selected fifth overall in the 2010 draft and is considered among the top pitching prospects in the game. He made quick work of Single-A this season (1.87 ERA, 95 K, 32 BB over 77.0 IP) and was recently promoted to Double-A. In three starts there (14.0 innings) he has been just as impressive, with a 2.57 ERA, 17 K and 6 BB. The lefty is just 22-years old and, depending on how the Rockies chose to limit his innings, could potentially reach the Majors as soon as 2011. More likely, he’ll get his chance in 2012 and could quickly make an impact. He has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter and should be on all radars for the coming year.
White (ranked as the Indians #2 prospect by Baseball America prior to the season), who is currently on the disabled list due to a strained finger, made his Major League debut in 2010. A first round pick in 2009, White went 1-0 in three starts with the Indians earlier in the season posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13 K over 15.0 IP. Last season across two levels he went 10-10 with a 2.45 ERA and 117 K over 150.2 IP. While he may not have the same type of upside as Pomeranz, he should be a good starting pitcher as well. Moving to the NL, especially the NL West, makes things look even better. He should be back in the Majors by the end of the month and, while rookie pitchers are always erratic, he could prove viable over the final month.
McBride is a 1B currently playing at Double-A. Thus far this season he is hitting .297 with 14 HR, 53 RBI, 50 R and 3 SB. Baseball America did not rank him among the team’s Top 30 prospects prior to the season.
Gardner (ranked as the Indians #9 prospect by Baseball America prior to the season) has struggled at Double-A this season. The righty has gone 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA, 60 K and 47 BB over 97.1 innings (19 starts). The 23-year old has allowed lefties to hit .319 against him this season. He started off strong, but the wheels have fallen off in June (4.55 ERA) and July (7.34 ERA).
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