Tribe gets aggressive with Ubaldo Jimenez deal

Colorado Rockies ace pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez waits throws at Coors Field in Denver on May 26, 2010 in Denver. Jimenez was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 30, 2011 for LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Alex White, 1B Matt McBride and RHP Joe Gardner pending a medical examination. UPI/Gary C. Caskey

The price was staggering. The Indians traded Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Matt McBride and Joe Gardner for a pitcher who can be dominant. Ubaldo Jimenez is in his prime and he has a great contract through 2013.

I hate the idea of trading Alex White, as he looks like the real deal and he’s ready to pitch now. That said, you have to take calculated risks as a mid-market team, and the Indians now can be a force in the playoffs if they manage to get there. That would mean that Shin-Soo Choo comes back and returns to his old self, because the Tribe desperately needs offense.

The Indians were on track to have an excellent pitching staff for years to come. Now they have the chance to have a dominating pitching staff for several years. With a young lineup that can only get better, this might be a winning formula.

We’ll see, but they deserve credit for taking a calculated risk.

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