The Colorado Rockies defeated the San Diego Padres by a score of 10-6. Despite the win, Colorado fans felt a loss when news officially broke that Ubaldo Jimenez had been traded to the Cleveland Indians for three minor league prospects.
[caption id="attachment_85" align="alignright" width="284" caption="Former Colorado Rockies Ace Ubaldo Jimenez will now join the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Mark J. Terrill / AP)"]
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The big story of Saturday’s win wasn’t how the offense caught fire with ten runs, but what went down in the bottom of the first inning. The starting pitcher was Ubaldo Jimenez who took the mound and threw one inning. The reason he only went a single inning wasn’t because of an injury or poor outing, but because of a trade. Around the same time Jimenez threw the first pitch, fellow Rockies starting pitcher Esmil Rogers began warming up in the bullpen. The way Petco Field was built, the bullpens are on the outside of the foul line, making it impossible not to see.
This clearly affected Ubaldo Jimenez, like it would anyone else. Even as a professional, it is incredibly hard to stay focused and calm when you know your future is up in the air.
The return for Ubaldo wasn’t nearly a “Herschel Walker deal” like General Manager Dan O’Dowd said it would take to acquire Jimenez. The Rockies received pitchers Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Joe Gardner, and first baseman Matt McBride. White and Pomeranz are two future starters with a lot of potential.
[caption id="attachment_84" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Newly Acquired Rookie Alex White (Photo by The Associated Press)"]
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The deal right now hurts for Rockies fans and although the new kids may turn out to be great players, but the loss of Jimenez stings. He’s been a Rocky from the beginning, playing all six seasons of his career in Denver. He grew up in the organization and while he’s been a great pitcher, he has been an even better person and teammate. He’s been a mentor to Esmil Rogers and a main attraction each time he takes the mound.
For the rest of the year, the Rockies are up against it. Even with Jimenez their pitching staff was considerably weak and when you trade your ace, it can’t help. There’s not a lot left that I can say except Dan O’Dowd, I hope you know what you’re doing.
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