MLB Trade Rumors: How High Will Ubaldo Jimenez's Price Tag Be?

Every year, there is one team that has the rumor mill constantly turning.

This year, that team will be the Colorado Rockies.

The rumors are beginning to develop for ace Ubaldo Jimenez.

Jimenez was mentioned to be on the market by Ken Rosenthal, who said that the Rockies are not actively trying to trade him but they are willing to listen to offers for him.

The price will not be cheap, though. Mike Axisa of River Avenue Blues predicts that any trade involving Jimenez would require at a minimum four prospects, two of which are "absolute studs," to use his words.

I think that the price tag might be even higher.

Jimenez is signed to a very cheap deal.

Because of his current contract, he is locked up until 2014 and will make no more than $8 million in any season season unless he wins the Cy Young, according to the contract information on Baseball Reference.

On top of the low contact, I do not think that there is a lot of doubt that Jimenez has an amazing arm.

Last year, he started the season 15-1.

Until June 17, he did not allow more than three runs in any start and he only allowed three one time.

This year has been less successful for Jimenez, but this is going to be one of those trades that is largely based on what he has done in the past despite the fact that this year has been disappointing.

Since there are only a few months left, a run like that could mean the difference between a playoff spot or going home for a team in the race.

Everyone knows that he can return to that level.

Any pitcher who can go on this type of dominant run will get a lot of attention if he is available and has a very affordable contract for the next few years.

I think that the Rockies will demand one extra prospect than Axisa suggested. There will probably be a high-potential, upper-level prospect who might be ready to step into the rotation for the rest of the year—since the Rockies will be rebuilding anyway—two lower-level yet still high-potential prospects and then two mid-level prospects.

I know that this price tag sounds steep, but Jimenez is about to enter his prime. He is only 27 right now and I have confidence that he'll be able to straighten out.

However, I think that he will make that adjustment somewhere else. I expect a deal to be made before the deadline. Teams are always looking for pitching.