MLB Power Rankings: Ranking the 6 Biggest Shocks of the 2011 Deadline

The 2011 MLB Trade Deadline is getting more intense with every passing hour. With Sunday's 3:00pm (EST) deadline fast approaching, asking prices are beginning to fall and buyers are becoming more desperate.

It's safe to say that plenty more big moves will come between now and tomorrow afternoon—so the feeding frenzy is not yet over.

The Colorado Rockies have just agreed to send Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians, which could (hopefully) lead to a domino effect of big moves around the league.

Here are the six biggest shocks of the 2011 deadline—so far.

6. Dodgers Are All Quiet on the Western Front

With Dodgers owner Frank McCourt being all but forced to sell the team, many expected the Dodgers to send quite a few players packing before Sunday's deadline.

Hiroki Kuroda's name was flying around in rumors for the last couple of weeks. Kuroda has now stated that he won't be going anywhere, so those rumors all hold no substance.

There was speculation that the team may send either Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp packing. At this point nothing has come to fruition, so most likely they will both stay put.

There is breaking news of a supposed deal that will send Rafael Furcal to the St. Louis Cardinals, but that doesn't come close to the fire-sale many expected the past few months.

I also figured either Ted Lilly or even Chad Billingsley would be moved before Sunday, yet there has seemingly been no interest in either pitcher.

At the end of the day, it's been a surprisingly quiet trade deadline for the Dodgers. 

5. Philadelphia Phillies Hunt Down Pence

We all knew the Philadelphia Phillies were desperately seeking an outfield bat, but I don't think anyone presumed they'd be able to land Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros.

For the third year in a row, the Phillies made a blockbuster trade on July 29th—the past two being Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee.

Already the best team in the NL and maybe in all of baseball, the Pence acquisition should pay off in a big way.

In my eyes, the fact that the Phils were able to land Pence without giving up Dominic Brown is a huge win.

For the Astros' sake, it was a move that needed to be made. They are clearly in rebuilding mode and could move Michael Bourn and Wandy Rodriguez before the deadline comes to pass.

4. Cleveland Indians Are Finally Buyers

With news breaking of a deal that will send Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four prospects, it is clear that for the first time in years the Indians are buyers. 

This is a team that in recent years traded away star pitchers Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia, but they now seem determined to bring winning baseball back to Cleveland.

The Indians also acquired Kosuke Fukodome from the Chicago Cubs for a few low-level prospects, all while the Cubbies picked up a majority of his remaining salary.

I don't think this is a difference-making move, but it's low-risk and should help shore up their outfield while Grady Sizemore and Shin-soo Choo are on the DL.

As if these two moves weren't surprising enough for Indians fans, they are also rumored to be close to a deal for San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick. 

When it's all said and done, this could be a huge win for the Indians at the deadline.

3. Chicago Cubs Can't (Won't?) Sell

I doubt I was alone in thinking the Cubs may have a very different roster by the time the MLB trade deadline passed.

At this point, the only player they've sent packing is Kosuke Fukodome—keeping guys like Carlos Pena, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Dempster.

It's not surprising that no teams will bite on Soriano or Zambrano, but I figured at least one of the other three would have a new home by now.

Reports out of Chicago now say the Cubs have no interest in trading Pena either. I have to ask—why? He is batting .224 on a one-year deal and is by no means a part of the Cubs' future plans. 

The Cubs may have to eat a large chunk of a contract for any player they decide to trade, but they might as well play the lottery with some prospects since they are on the hook for the money anyway.

2. Toronto Blue Jays Acquire Colby Rasmus

The shocking part isn't that Colby Rasmus was traded—it's that he was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos continues to impress, to say the least.

Although the Blue Jays were involved in two trades while acquiring Rasmus, they basically parlayed a couple of relief pitchers into a young, five-tool center fielder.

The Chicago White Sox were able to rid themselves of the disappointing Edwin Jackson while nabbing Jason Frasor—a strong arm who will help shore up the back of their bullpen.

The only loser I see in this deal is the St. Louis Cardinals. They gave up a great young talent in Rasmus thinking Jackson is the answer for their rotation. Although his first start for the Cards went fairly well, I don't see this move helping the Cards down the stretch.

While they also acquired relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski in the deal, it won't be enough to get them an NL Central crown or to overcome the long-term loss of Rasmus.    

1. Colorado Rockies Actually Trade Ubaldo Jimenez

From the Colorado Rockies standpoint, I think this move is beyond horrible.

You don't sign Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez to huge contract extensions and then trade away your best pitcher. It just doesn't make sense.

Ubaldo Jimenez is by no means having a great season, but he is by far the greatest pitcher in Rockies history. Regardless of their record this season, it's hard to argue the fact that the Rockies are the most talented team in the NL West.

Giving away their top starter—who is under team control through 2014 for less than $18 million—does nothing except force a talented young team to take a huge step back.

For his career, Jimenez has a 3.62 ERA and 1.279 WHIP. These numbers are all the more impressive considering he pitched half of his games in Colorado.