The Colorado Rockies have dealt 27-year old righty starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for 22-year old righty starting pitcher Alex White, 23-year old righty starting pitcher Joe Gardner, 26-year old righty swinging 1B/OF Matt McBride and a player to be named later (22-year old lefty starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz). Because the Indians drafted Pomeranz in 2010, he isn’t elgible to be traded until August 15th. He is the key to the deal for the Rockies. Pomeranz was the Indians’ #4 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America (before he even threw a pitch). Pomeranz has pitched in 18 games (all starts) in A+AA-ball this year and he is 3-3 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He has only given up 66 hits while whiffing 112 batters in his first 91 minor league innings. He’s going to be on the fast trade to Denver (likely arriving sometime in 2012). Alex White was the Indians’ #2 prospect before the season started according to Baseball America. White pitched in 3 games (all starts) for the Indians this year and he is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He is currently on a rehab assignment due to a finger injury. White has also pitched in 4 games (all starts) in AAA-ball this year and he was 1-0 with a 1.90 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He, like Pomeranz, has big time potential. Joe Gardner came into this season as the Indians’ #9 prospect according to Baseball America. Gardner has pitched in 19 games (all starts) in AA-ball so far this year and he is 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He has now pitched in 47 games (all starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 20-14 with a 3.64 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Matt McBride isn’t a marquee prospect. He has played in 96 games in AA+AAA-ball so far this year and he is 99 for 355 (.279 avg, .841 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 15 homers, 56 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 556 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 589 for 2,090 (.282 avg, .811 OPS) with 315 runs scored, 69 homers, 349 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched in 21 games (all starts) for the Rockies this year and he was 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He pitched in 138 games (137 starts) in his six years with the Rockies and he is 56-45 with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Jimenez is the all-time Rockies leader in strikeouts with 773 of them. He is also #1 in ERA (3.66) and #1 in WHIP (1.28) for any Rockies’ pitcher with at least 50 decisions for 500 innings pitched. Jimenez is also tied with Jason Jennings for the Rockies all-time lead in shutouts with 3 of them (one was a no-hitter last year). He is also #3 in wins (56), #4 in innings pitched (851), #4 in games started (137) and he’s #3 in complete games (8) in Rockies’ history.

While is hurts to see Ubaldo Jimenez leaving town, the Rockies got too good of a deal to pass up. Pomeranz and White might make everyone forget about Jimenez down the road.

The Rockies have signed 29-year old righty swinging 1B/3B Jorge Cantu to a minor league deal. Cantu played in 57 games earlier this year with the Padres and he was 28 for 144 (.194 avg, .517 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers and 16 RBIs. He has now played in 847 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 847 for 3,128 (.271 avg, .755 OPS) with 367 runs scored, 104 homers, 476 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. I wonder if this is foreshadowing for a trade involving Ty Wigginton.

28-year old righty swinging catcher Chris Iannetta is not taking advantage of the Rockies giving him the starting catcher job this year. He has played in 79 games for the Rockies so far this year and he is 53 for 241 (.220 avg, .777 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 10 homers, 36 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 425 games in his first six years with the Rockies and he is 307 for 1,325 (.232 avg, .786 OPS) with 182 runs scored, 59 homers, 217 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. If Iannetta doesn’t show improvement the rest of this season, I think his days as the starting catcher for the Rockies could be coming to an end.

The Rockies have placed 40-year old lefty swinging 1B Jason Giambi on the 15-day disabled list due to a left quad strain. Giambi has played in 48 games for the Rockies so far this year and he is 25 for 96 (.260 avg, .982 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 10 homers and 24 RBIs. The Rockies were looking to deal Giambi to a contender this week but they will have to try to slip him through waivers to make a trade now. The Rockies will try to deal him in August to a contender.

The Rockies have designated 31-year old lefty reliever/starter Eric Stults for assignment. Stults pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the Rockies this year and he was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 41 games (24 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 8-10 with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. I think Stults will clear waivers and accept a minor league assignment from the Rockies.

UPDATE: (7/29/2011) - Stults has accepted an outright assignment to AAA.