The trade of Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians is still a raw wound, but Rockies fans must accept the trade made by team management before the July 31st Trade Deadline. Ubaldo is gone, but potential talent exists as a result of the trade, which gives consolation to fans of the "Chief". Reasons for why the trade took place have been talked about but why continue to concentrate on what was. The Rockies, in exchange for Ubaldo Jimenez, recieved four quality prospects from the Indians, each of whom could potentially help the team in the near future. According to MLB writer Jonathan Mayo, the Rockies will receive OF Matt McBride, P Alex White, P Joseph Gardner and a player to be named later (reported to be P Drew Pomeranz).

In exchange for the 27 year old Rockies Ace, they will get two 22 year old pitchers (White and Pomeranz), 23 year old P Joseph Gardner and 26 year old OF Matt McBride. Alex White was drafted by the Indians in 2009 out of the University of North Carolina, with the 15th over selection. In his minor league career and short duty in the Bigs, White has accumulated a 2.63 K/BB ratio to go along with a GO/AO of over 2.00. His minor league ERA the past two seasons is also a noteworthy 2.45 and 1.90 respectively. Gardner, drafted in the third round in 2009, has displayed a 1.85 K/BB ratio and a GO/AO in the mid 3.00 during his two years in the minor leagues. His record of 20-14 is positive but he has taken a small step backward this season in AA Akron, posting an ERA of 4.99 in 97 1/3 innings. Right handed hitting OF Matt McBride is a 2.76 hitter in 4 seasons at the AA level and has shown power with 69 homers, to go along with 349 RBI in his six minor league seasons. His OPS of .811 and SLG of .467 is comparable to Ryan Spilbourghs numbers of .773 OPS and .426 SLG.

As is usual in most trades, a player to be named later was involved but according to Jonathan Mayo, P Drew Pomeranz will not join the Rockies until sometime in August. Pomeranz, a left-handed pitcher selected number 5 overall  in the 2010 draft out of the University of Mississippi in 2010, will  undoubtedly be the most prized asset obtained in the deal. In 19 games in the minor leagues this year, he has a 3-3 record to go along with an ERA of 1.98 in 91.0 innings pitched. His GO/AO ratio of 0.96 is a tad low but he did post a K/BB ratio of 2.94 and a BA against .202. He is very young and talented which bodes well for the Rockies and pitching coach Bob Apodaca.

Add up all of the talent obtained in the blockbuster trade, and the Rockies are left with an up and coming OF and three very talented pitchers with major league potential. As much as fans would like to have seen Ubaldo Jimenez stay here in Colorado, the deal the Rockies made has the long-term goal of strong, solid starting pitching throughout the rotation. Ubaldo will never be replaced, but the ball players recieved in return should be given the opportunity to make their own mark on the team and its goal of a World Series crown. When the trade first happened it was hard for just about everyone involved, but the goal on both sides of the deal was to come out a winner. It's hard to come to a conclusion right now. Time will tell in the years that follow, how successful of a trade it became.

Now that you know who was obtained, does this sound like a good deal Rockies fans?