Ubaldo Jimenez Traded to the Indians: Why They Must Win Now

The Cleveland Indians management is not being conservative anymore; at least not for this season.

The Indians have abandoned their frugal, small market reputation by completing a stunning upset to acquire former all-star pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies.

Although the exact terms of the deal are not yet final, the Indians will send first baseman Matt McBride and pitchers Drew Pomeranz, Joe Gardner and Alex White to the Rockies for Jimenez. The Tribe also traded second baseman Orlando Cabrera to the Giants for outfielder Thomas Neal.

And there may be another deal coming as rumors of a trade to bring San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick to Cleveland gain momentum.

Indians team president Mark Shapiro was not kidding when he said the tribe would be active in the trade market.

But with this excitement comes serious pressure for the Indians to win something this season. For the first time in recent memory the Indians have mortgaged their future for the present, and just staying competitive for the remainder of the central division race is no longer acceptable; even for a team who most predicted would finish fourth in the division.

Ironically, many of the same people who have slammed the Indians’ management for inactivity have criticized the Jimenez trade as an overly aggressive move that jeopardizes their future. That may sound unfair, but such concerns are not without credibility.

White was stellar for the Indians before an injury to his finger sent him to the disabled list. Pomeranz was the team’s No. 1 draft pick last year and was pitching in Class AA Akron when he was traded.

Simply put, the Indians dug deep into their farm system for Jimenez, and finding replacements will be difficult. That’s why it is imperative for the Indians to win now.

Jimenez certainly gives them a strong chance to win immediately, as he is returning to form after suffering from blister problems early in the season.  Although starting pitching has not been the Tribe’s bane this year, it has not really been their strength, either.

Poor seasons from Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot have forced the tribe to frequently call their minor league pitchers for help. They won’t have to do that with Jimenez at the top of their rotation.

Jimenez will keep Cleveland’s low-scoring offense in games they wouldn't otherwise have a chance of winning. Doing so will set the stage for more late-inning dramatics that have become their penchant this season.

If the Indians cannot win after the Jimenez trade, the negative effects of this deal will linger well into the future. Not only will their farm system be depleted, but management will be scared away from making big moves in the future.  

Still, Jimenez is worth the risk. The Indians have been working almost exclusively for the future since Shapiro took control of the front office. And a 2007 division title is all they have to show for a decade of long-term planning and stingy management.

Maybe things will be different.