The Cleveland Indians definitely have not been on this side of the equation for awhile. These few days have marked 2 years since the team traded away Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and All-Star Victor Martinez, all of those coming a year after trading Cy Young winner CC Sabathia. But now, after a sizzling start that puts them still in contention for the playoffs, despite a consistent downfall the last few months, the Indians have acquired an All Star: Ubaldo Jimenez from Colorado Rockies.
In a trade like this, a team may win but also lose; the debate of short-run benefits versus long-run benefits doesn't always bring conclusive results. Teams give up young prospects who have potential to develop in the future, for stars who have shown capabilities to improve a team immediately. It may be most valuable to see what prospects the Indians have gotten in giving up their recent All-Stars.
In giving up CC Sabathia in 2008, the Indians acquired players including Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley. Neither have become exceptional, but part of the reason in trading away Sabathia was that his contract was coming to an end. Knowing that he would eventually not resign with Cleveland, the Indians sought to get some plays in return while that was possible. Sabathia, meanwhile, earned 40 wins in the past two regular seasons, and already has 15 wins this season. In giving up Cliff Lee in 2009, the Indians acquired players including the active Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson. Carrasco has found some success at points this season, but as shown clearly in his loss on Friday night, he is still far from finishing developing. But it is noteworthy to point out that since leaving the Indians, Lee has pitched the Phillies (2009) and Rangers (2010) into World Series, and back in Philadelphia this year, the Philies are currently at the top in the standings. In giving up Victor Martinez the same year, the Indians acquired players including Justin Masterson, who has found most success this season. His 8-7 record may be mediocre, but he has had few run support this year. Martinez meanwhile, has been hitting above .300 ever since.
A brief look at these trade shows that for each All-Star traded away, all of whom are still prospering, one or two returns have remained in the current active roster, but none has become an All-Star. But it may simply need more development, as trading for prospects is an act of long-term investment. Now as the Indians are on the other side, some criticism has been said about how much the Indians gave up to attain Jimenez, who recorded 19 wins last season. Top prospect Drew Pomeranz and Alex White were sent away. Further reports indicate that Yankees were initially interested in Jimenez, but that Rockies were demanding too much Only time will tell whether this was the right decision or not, as is the case with investments with slowly returning dividends. But few doubt presume that given how Cliff Lee has been pitching, the Philadelphia Philies would track the prospects they lost in the deal and evaluate the costs and benefits of that trade. If the star produces immediate benefits on a grand scale, the organization would deem the transaction effective. So while the Indians ponder on whether on today's transaction was costly or valued, the ball is literally in Jimenez's hands to write the finishing ends to this story.
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