MLB Trade Deadline Grades: Colorado Rockies Send Ubaldo Jimenez to Indians

Ubaldo Jimenez has been traded from the Colorado Rockies to the Cleveland Indians according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The deal has also been confirmed by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Jimenez was removed from his start against the San Diego Padres today after pitching just one inning. Renck has also announced the players who the Rockies will receive in return for Jimenez.

One of the players included in the deal was pitcher Alex White. Coming into the season, he was rated as the 47th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America.

White was outstanding in four starts at AAA and was eventually moved up to the majors. He pitched well in the majors, but he suffered a finger injury. He is currently on the DL, but is scheduled to make his rehab start soon.

Another player included in the deal was pitcher Drew Pomeranz. The Indians selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. The 61st best prospect in baseball, Pomeranz has already reached AA. He is expected to continue to move quickly through the minors.

Pomeranz cannot actually be traded until August 15th because of when he signed after last year’s draft. He will have to be a player named later in this deal.

Matt McBride is also involved in the deal. He is a 26-year-old who has played both outfield and first base for the Indians AA and AAA teams this season.

Joseph Gardner is also included in the deal. He is 23 years old and was pitching for the Indians Double-A affiliate. Gardner has struggled this season, in part due to his 1.59 WHIP. He does have the potential to be a decent player.

Looking at this deal, it appears as if the Rockies got fairly good value for Jimenez. Both Pomeranz and White have the potential to be front-of-the-rotation starters. White will be in the majors this year and Pomeranz could be in the majors next season.  McBride will likely serve as a bench player for the Rockies.

This looks like a very solid move for the Rockies. This trade deserves a B+ grade for the Rockies.