MLB Trade Rumors: Could Ubaldo Jimenez Really Be Going to the Cincinnati Reds?

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, a Colorado Rockies insider has made big news by saying the chance that starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez will be traded is "around 50/50." 

This is huge news, as MLBTradeRumors.com reported this afternoon.

"To date, I don't think any reporter has ventured to go above 20 percent," wrote Tim Dierkes.

According to Troy Renck, the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox are potential trade partners, but Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd has "talked up nearly everyone."

Although not the usual suspects for a huge midseason pickup, the Reds could potentially offer the best package of players for Jimenez, perhaps the best pitcher of the first half of 2010. The Reds have depth in the minor leagues and have fantastic prospects that they might be willing to part with for a dominant starter. 

This year, Jimenez is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA, mediocre statistics for last year's All-Star starting pitcher. However, he has two complete games and averages almost nine strikeouts per nine innings, just under one per inning. He can be fantastic, as evidenced by the three consecutive wins he had prior to his last start. 

The cost would be high. Yonder Alonso, perhaps one of the best minor-league hitters and a highly-touted first baseman, would definitely be the starting price. Along with Alonso, the Reds have two excellent catchers in Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal, with Mesoraco being the more major league-ready talent. 

In terms of pitching, the Reds are also loaded with quality arms. Brad Boxberger is a dark horse that could be a wild card on a major-league pitching staff. Both Donnie Joesph and Kyle Lotzkar have a lot of upside that the Rockies could develop and turn into dynamite pitchers. 

Since Ubaldo Jimenez is only 27 years old, and his contract gives him $2.8 million this year and $4.2 million next year, with team options for the following two seasons, the cost is going to be even higher than usual for a quality pitcher. 

If the Reds progress and really try to make a serious offer, they are going to have to offer more than one of the aforementioned prospects, with Alonso probably the centerpiece to a deal. The Reds have the goods, though, and could make a huge splash as they attempt to climb up from fourth place in the NL Central. 

Stick with Bleacher Report to see if Ubaldo is traded or if the Rockies hold on to the flame-thrower, and for any breaking news in Major League Baseball.