The Colorado Rockies showed their commitment to young pitching by signing 25-year-old right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year $10 million deal, which will allow them to avoid the annual arbitration carousel. Jimenez went 12-12 in 2008, posting a stellar 3.99 ERA, leading the Rockies in strikeouts with 172 during his first full season as a starter. The contract contains a club option for 2013 and 2014 raising the exercised value to $22million. This deal does a couple of things for the Rockies; it shores up confidence with the fan base which has wavered a bit in recent months with the loss of outfielder Matt Holliday. It gives Jimenez the ability to work with the trust the organization has given him. His performance has been great and he may even be the most underrated pitcher in the majors and this deal helps Jimenez by legitimizing his talent. Grade for Rockies: A In other Rockies news, third baseman Garrett Atkins is awaiting the upcoming arbitration hearing sometime around February 1-21. There is a $1.3 million difference between Atkins $7.95 million submission and the Rockies $6.65 million offer. In the meantime, Atkins continues to work out in California while awaiting the outcome.