Why has Cleveland mortgaged it's future for a "rental" player?

Jimenez is not the same pitcher he was the first half of last year.He's a .500 pitcher right now and that doesn't exactly scream number 1 starter.He's also throwing in the lower 90's instead of 100 or close to it.He does have 2 years left on his contract and so I wouldn't call him a rental player.

They also traded for a .275 hitter that doesn't drive in a lot of runs or hit many HR's.He's supposed to be help offensively?Fukodome was overhyped by the Cubs management and hasn't come close to expectations.What makes the Indians think he'll suddenly be the player the Cubs sold their fans on?

I don't think either trade was a good one for Cleveland.

When you think about it, this is a great move for the Indians right now. Think about it. They're trying to make it to the playoffs, and Jimenez will drastically improve their chances. He'll flourish now that he's out of Coors Field. I think this year he's got a 2.80 ERA on the road. Plus, The Indians didn't give away their future by a long shot. They also acquired a top 100 prospect from the Giants last night, and the Indians still have plenty of young pitchers, both in the majors and minors. And for the Indians, the future is now. Their young players have arrived, and they made a great move to get another piece to that. And Ubaldo isn't a rental by the way, his contract runs through the 2013 season with an option for 2014

Actually it's a brilliant baseball move.

It's true Jimenez is not near the pitcher he was in 2010. But he's still a No.1 starter and he still has upside. The 4yr 10M contract he's on runs through 2012. It is an absolute bargain, and worth the loss of 4 prospects. And Jimenez will probably not stay with the Indians beyond next year..he will be moved on and the Indians will receive prospects in return.

The Indians here have a reasonable shot at the divisional title...the fans are not going to be happy if they don't at least try to win it. Adding Jimenez does help.

As I said, bold move. It might nt work out, but worth a try.

You have a point. I think the Cleveland Indians Organization is happy with their trade, as am I. Now, I'm not an Indians fan, but, I think they made an interesting move which will probably benefit this team. Time will tell, but I compliment the Indians for trying to get better.

I think both deals that Cleveland has made -- bringing in Jiminez and So-Sucky Fukudome -- reeks of desperation. They played way over their heads early in the season and took advantage of slow starts by the "real" contenders in the Central to forge ahead, but injuries and playing to their potential has the team in a tailspin now.

The harsh reality is that Fukudome does not play well this late in the season -- he's a career .198 hitter in September/October -- and Jiminez has won just 10 of 36 starts since his flukey start last year.

Even if Cleveland some how makes the playoffs having these two losers on the roster guarantees they won't make it past the wild card round so trading prospects for players whose main claim to fame was that they played well before the All Star break makes absolutely no sense.

Can you imagine how good they'd be if they'd kept Fatassia, VMart and the hillbilly?

Jimenez' contract has team options in 2013 and 2014, which is great.

AND, Ubaldo Jimenez has a 3.38 ERA when NOT pitching at Coors Field.