The Indians Trade For Ubaldo Jimenez Looking Good Now

Written By Larry M. Glicken "LG"

Ubaldo Jimenez came to the Cleveland Indians last season and many of the Cleveland Fans felt the Indians gave up too much for this pitcher. Jimenez has struggled since coming into the American League, those struggles look like they are coming to an end.

Jimenez threw a shut out last night in Texas as he shut down the Houston Astros in the 6-2/3 innings he pitched. Jimenez struck out 8 and walked four. Since coming to the Cleveland Indians Jimenez has been battling problems with his mechanics. The Indians pitching staff has worked to help Ubaldo find his way back and it looks like it is starting to pay dividends.

Jimenez who is 7-5 on the season has shown some consistency in his last four starts. Ubaldo has pitched into the six inning three times out of four and made it into the seventh once. There was time not too long ago Jimenez's pitch count wouldn't allow the big man past the fifth inning.

 Ubaldo is still having some problems with his control, the great thing is he is able to work his way back as he helps the Indians get some wins. Out of Ubaldo's last ten starts he only had to leave the game before the fifth inning three times, he has made it into the sixth inning this season more often than not which is huge for Tribe skipper Manny Acta and the Indians Bull-pen.

The Indians front office personal who put the trade together to get Jimenez, were hoping this day would come, especially since the Indians sent two young pitching prospects packing in the Jimenez deal. Looking at the deal now, the Indians and the Cleveland fans have to feel pretty good about the deal some left for dead earlier in the season and at the end of the 2011 season. Overall the trade is one of the better deals the Indians front office has pulled off. Only time will tell the real story,as the chapters are written, the end of the book is starting to look pretty good.

Larry Glicken is the owner of www.clevelandsports360.com and the host of the Cleveland Sports 360 Show, an online streaming sports video show at www.streamingsportstalk.com