Indians Land Starter Ubaldo Jimenez

While Saturday has been full of trade action, it appears the best has been saved for last.  The Cleveland Indians have added top starter Ubaldo Jimenez from the Rockies for Alex White, Matt McBride, Joseph Gardner and a player to be named later which will be Drew Pomeranz once he’s eligible to be traded.

Cleveland gains the 27 year old Jimenez who’s maintained an earned run average of 3.62 over his 6 seasons, during all of which he’s called hitter friendly Coors Field his home.

Jimenez broke out in 2010 when he finished the year with a 2.88 ERA and WHIP of 1.16, numbers that earned him a third place finish in NL Cy Young voting.

He’s struggled a bit in 2011 (4.46 ERA) but before getting hit hard last Sunday the right hander had an ERA of 2.59 over his last 11 starts.

To acquire Jimenez, the Indians had to pay a heavy price.  Cleveland traded away 3of their top 10 prospects for the starter.

White entered the year as the Indians best pitching prospect and has reached the majors in 2011 after spending only one full season in the minor leagues.  The 22 year old has held an ERA of 3.60 over his 3 big league starts with 13 strike outs in 15 innings pitched.

Cleveland drafted Pomeranz 5th overall in last year’s draft, and the 22 year old has split time between Single and Double-A in his first season as a professional.  Between his two stops, the lefty has a combined ERA of 1.98 with 112 strike outs in 91 innings.

Gardner, the third pitcher heading to Colorado, saw success in his first season in the minors last year.  But the 23 year old hasn’t been able to duplicate it in 2011, posting an ERA of 4.99 over 19 starts.  Still, Gardner has a career earned run average of 3.64.

The final piece in the Jimenez deal is the first baseman McBride.  The 26 year old has split time between the Indians Double and Triple-A affiliates this year, batting at a combined clip of .279/.339/.501.  McBride has a career OPS of .811 over his 6 years in the minors.

For more on the Indians and Rockies, be sure to check out Deep Left Field and Rox Pile.