Late Saturday night, the Indians traded their best pitching prospect, Drew Pomeranz, their second-best pitching prospect, Alex White, plus Aeros first baseman Matt McBride and Aeros starter Joe Gardner for Ubaldo Jimenez, the ace of the staff for the Colorado Rockies.
The deal is contingent on Jimenez passing a physical Sunday.
Pomeranz is listed as the player to be named, because as the Indians’ first pick in the 2010 draft (the fifth overall selection), he cannot be traded for one year from the date he signed, which means he must remain property of the Indians until Aug. 16.
The Indians also acquired outfielder Thomas Neal from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for middle infielder Orlando Cabrera.
Jimenez, 27, was one of the few marquee names of this trading season, which ends at 4 p.m. EDT Sunday. He carries a 6-9 record and 4.46 ERA, but most of his struggles came in April and May, when he was 0-5 with a 5.86 ERA.
Until he gave up four runs in one inning Saturday night, Jimenez had posted a record of 6-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 starts for the months of June and July.
Last year, he posted a 19-8 record and 2.88 ERA and was selected to pitch in the All-Star Game. His career record is 56-456 with a 3.66 ERA.
The trade was held up for part of Saturday evening, because the Rockies allowed Jimenez to start, angering the Indians. Apparently, the transaction hadn’t been totally wrapped up by game time.
One of the attractive aspects of the deal is Jimenez’s multi-year contract. He will earn $2.8 million this season and $4.12 million in 2012 guaranteed. In 2013, he has a club option for $5.75 million and another for 2014, worth $8 million.
However, because he was traded, he has the right to opt out of the 2014 option. Both option years include a buyout of $1 million.
Jimenez’s contract also includes a clause that increases his compensation the more innings he pitches starting with 200. For each 10-inning increase to 240, he receives $50,000.
The risky part of the deal is that the Indians have left themselves a large hole after trading pitchers that have been judged to be potential stars.
McBride was batting .297 with 14 homers and 53 RBI at Akron, and Gardner was 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA in 19 starts.
Neal, 23, was San Francisco’s 36th round pick in the 2005 draft. He is batting .295 with 13 doubles, two homers and 25 homers in 60 games at Triple-A Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.
The right-handed hitter has played all three outfield spots. He is being assigned to Columbus.
Cabrera is one of the few veteran voices in the clubhouse and is batting .244 in 90 games. Until Cord Phelps and then Jason Kipnis were called up from Triple-A to make their major-league debuts, Cabrera was the Indians’ everyday second baseman.
The deal is contingent on Jimenez passing a physical Sunday.
Pomeranz is listed as the player to be named, because as the Indians’ first pick in the 2010 draft (the fifth overall selection), he cannot be traded for one year from the date he signed, which means he must remain property of the Indians until Aug. 16.
The Indians also acquired outfielder Thomas Neal from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for middle infielder Orlando Cabrera.
Jimenez, 27, was one of the few marquee names of this trading season, which ends at 4 p.m. EDT Sunday. He carries a 6-9 record and 4.46 ERA, but most of his struggles came in April and May, when he was 0-5 with a 5.86 ERA.
Until he gave up four runs in one inning Saturday night, Jimenez had posted a record of 6-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 starts for the months of June and July.
Last year, he posted a 19-8 record and 2.88 ERA and was selected to pitch in the All-Star Game. His career record is 56-456 with a 3.66 ERA.
The trade was held up for part of Saturday evening, because the Rockies allowed Jimenez to start, angering the Indians. Apparently, the transaction hadn’t been totally wrapped up by game time.
However, because he was traded, he has the right to opt out of the 2014 option. Both option years include a buyout of $1 million.
Jimenez’s contract also includes a clause that increases his compensation the more innings he pitches starting with 200. For each 10-inning increase to 240, he receives $50,000.
The risky part of the deal is that the Indians have left themselves a large hole after trading pitchers that have been judged to be potential stars.
McBride was batting .297 with 14 homers and 53 RBI at Akron, and Gardner was 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA in 19 starts.
Neal, 23, was San Francisco’s 36th round pick in the 2005 draft. He is batting .295 with 13 doubles, two homers and 25 homers in 60 games at Triple-A Fresno of the Pacific Coast League.
The right-handed hitter has played all three outfield spots. He is being assigned to Columbus.
Cabrera is one of the few veteran voices in the clubhouse and is batting .244 in 90 games. Until Cord Phelps and then Jason Kipnis were called up from Triple-A to make their major-league debuts, Cabrera was the Indians’ everyday second baseman.
