MLB Trade Rumors: Colorado Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey

The Cincinnati Reds have reportedly shown an interest in obtaining Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez.

Of course, this is all under the assumption that the Reds are buyers and trying to make a strong run for the playoffs. At the break, they are fourth in the sleepy NL Central Division.

Jimenez, 27, has struggled this season, coming off an All-Star year where he was third place in voting for the Cy Young award. He failed to turn in a quality start until May 6, his fifth attempt.

Through Memorial Day, Jimenez was 0-5 with a bloated ERA of 5.86. Since then, he is 4-3 with a tight ERA of 2.52, including four more quality starts and a four-hit shutout of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fox Sports writer Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rockies won’t let their ace go without it being a “perfect fit.” Cincinnati.com writes that Reds GM Walt Jocketty is tight-lipped about the rumor, yet falls short of denying that a deal could be in the works:

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“We have not had specific or significant trade talks with anyone at this point. All discussion with other teams has been more general info gathering.”

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According to Rosenthal, the Reds “are looking for ways to upgrade both their starting and relief pitching.” Bronson Arroyo, the Reds' perennial workhorse, is one of the four worst starters in the National League in respect to his WAR.

Another one of the four is Reds' Opening Day starter Edinson Volquez, who is now toiling on the farm with the Louisville Bats.

Who do the Reds have that would attract the attention of the Rockies?

Keep in mind that Jimenez is not a billionaire and makes the kind of money that the Reds could probably rob Peter, pay Paul and have enough left to offer the Monfort’s a complimentary bowl of Skyline Chili.

I repeat the question, what do the Reds have to offer?

Catcher Ramon Hernandez has been a hot topic at the water cooler lately. His stock is higher that it has ever been in his career. He is hitting .322/.377/.539 with 10 HR and 26 RBI. The man has only played 59 games so far this season working in tandem with Ryan Hanigan.

Chris Iannetta has decent pop in his bat but is currently hitting only .219 while hanging the signs for Colorado pitchers.

In his blog, Rosenthal said that the Rockies would probably expect a package that would be headlined by one of three starting pitchers: Homer Bailey, Mike Leake or Travis Wood.

Bailey has been around seemingly forever, yet is still just 25 years old. I could possibly see the Reds letting him go along with Hernandez or maybe a couple of young pitchers, such as Jeremy Horst and Justin Lehr.

The Reds are mapping their strategy as to which direction they will go. According to Jocketty, “We are currently talking to several clubs, and trying to evaluate whether or not we will be able to improve our club. It is too early to determine that now.”

Therefore, if the Reds decide to get serious and win the division and if they can make an offer that would be a perfect fit for the Rockies, you will see a deal made.