While it's too early to tell if the Indians gave up too much in return for the 27-year-old Jimenez, the immediate question is what happens to the balance of power in the AL Central? As it currently stands, the Indians are 1 1/2 games back of the division-leading Tigers, with the White Sox lurking not far behind at three games back of the Tigers. If these teams want to make the playoffs, they had better gun for the Central crown because the wild card will belong to whoever finishes second in the AL East.
Cleveland is getting a mixed bag in the acquisition of Jimenez, a young righty who finished third in the NL Cy Young voting a season ago after picking up 19 wins but who has struggled this season with a 6-9 record, 4.46 ERA and a 1.374 WHIP. Remember, however, that Jimenez will no longer be pitching at Coors Field, which is a notorious hitters park due to the lower air density at its high altitude.
Does the trade for Ubaldo Jimenez make the Indians the favorite in the AL Central?
