Earlier today, Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart was demoted to Triple-A for the second time this season. This time around, Stewart is concerned that he might not make it back with the club, writes Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post.
The subject of Stewart being dealt was discussed during a meeting with GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy, but Stewart walked away from the meeting hoping he could still produce for the Rockies in 2011.
"I don't get the sense they're just ready to let me go at the snap of a finger. I get the sense they still believe in me and they feel like I can help this organization out this year," said the 26-year-old.
Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) believes that the Rockies will gauge interest in Stewart but doesn't believe that they'll trade him while his value is so low. Stewart will be arbitration-eligible for the second time this offseason.
"I don't get the sense they're just ready to let me go at the snap of a finger. I get the sense they still believe in me and they feel like I can help this organization out this year."
5_tool_MiLB_fool
both los angeles teams should be taking note right now…especially the angels since hes from the OC
5_tool_MiLB_fool
i mean seriously…this guy can produce eric chavez-like offense and is average with the glove. can’t say that nobody is scouting him right now.
Snoochies8
douche side of me: “back it back”….
back to the main point: wouldn’t mind seeing the a’s go after him to replace kouz
diehardmets
First thing I thought was Angels. Reds (who comes after Rolen), Marlins, Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers, and the Orioles (for 1B perhaps) could all be interested ass well. And, of course, you can never forget AA (who knows what he’s thinking).
jwsox
Edwin Jackson+ 5 mill for him. He can start at 3rd slot morell over to 2nd( most profile him as a midle infielder in the long run and send beckham down untill he figures it out without hurting the team.
cubs223425
What? You want to send a pretty decent SP and cash for him, start him at 3B, then send Beckham down? Stewart’s hitting 30 times worse than Beckham is, so IDK what that would do to help the Sox.
jwsox
The sox have 6 legit starters and humber is pitching lights out. Beckham needs time to figure himself out without hurting the team. It also gives the sox salary relief and maybe a change of sceniery would help Ian. He is also probably the best prospect they could get for Jackson.
David
Even with 6 starters, you never know what will happen with Peavy going forward, and Humber provides excellent depth. I agree Beckham needs some time in the minors but Stewart does as well.
cubs223425
Well, Stewart’s not really a prospect, seeing as he’s going to arbitration for the second time–makling this his 4th MLB season.
Even with 6 starters (as this other fellow said), health is never assured. On top of that, Danks is 0-6 with a 4.50 ERA. Humber’s nothing close to lights outm either; he’s doing well, and putting up good numbers, but he’s about half a run away from lights out.
There’s also the fact that Buehrle’s not exactly young, so they need someone around for when he goes.
So, I still don’t see what sense it would make to do that deal to put Beckham in the minors.
David
Feel bad for the kid…when he was playing second, he was drawing comparisons to Chase Utley, with worse defense. The mix of injuries, and the Rockies refusing to ever flat out hand him the job have probably done a number on the kids psyche. A change of scenery would do him plenty of good-dodgers,angels,rays(put him at first?),mariners….if they make him available he’ll draw plenty of interest.
Lunchbox45
jays love reclamation projects and have a hole at third..
sure Lawrie is being groomed, but with Aaron Hill proving 2010 wasnt a fluke, they may need another infielder.
notsureifsrs
stewart would lurve hitting in rogers
Lunchbox45
Jayson nix is coming off the DL so. Pretty much any other option would be fantastic..
What do you think it will take to land him.?
notsureifsrs
hard to say. the angels have a hole at third base too, though, so if the jays get them involved in a three way deal it’s sure to turn out well
whatever
I know right? I heard he hates hitting in Coors Field. That place sucks for hitters.
notsureifsrs
good point. i hope the rockies trade him to the rockies
Lunchbox45
His home and road splits are near identical
cubs223425
The Cubs don’t have a 3B prospect outside of Vitters, and nothing good at 2B other than Barney, really. They could use a guy like Stewrt, have money to spend, and could let him play at AAA for a while to get himself acclimated before coming up.
Only problem is that the Cubs have 2B clogged with Barney and the epic fail duo of Jeff Baker and Blake DeWitt…
jb226 2
I agree that the Cubs should look into him as a replacement for Ramirez at third base after this year. DeWitt is through in Chicago; it’s obvious they’re not going to give him a real chance at playing time, so they might as well see what they can get for him (Mets?) or just DFA him, either of which would make room for a potential Stewart acquisition. He could be the primary backup at 3B this year and spell Ramirez from time to time, with an eye toward taking over the position moving forward. It’s an exceptionally weak free agent market and Ramirez isn’t likely to be worth the salary it would take to bring him back.
jwsox
what does that do to vitters then>?
cubs223425
Well, he’s taking forever, and is in AA. He could very well need another year or two to be ready. Stewart’s got 2 more years of control after this. They could play Stewart at 3B until Vitters is ready. Then, they could either put Stewart at 2B or Vitters at 1B, depending on who plays 3B better and who makes a positional change better.
At worst, you’re talking about one extra year in the minors for Vitters. It’s not like we’re looking at giving him the Yonder Alonso treatment.
coachofall
Josh outman for Ian Stewart make it happen. Makes too much sense for both sides
jill
You know, that’s not a bad idea. I don’t see it ever working out for Stewart in Colorado; and it may not work out somewhere else either. Once you set out on the wrong path, it’s hard to right it sometimes with the same people giving you the same advice/instruction that hasn’t worked for you before. A change might do him good.
Outman is pretty much blocked-there’s a lot ahead of him, and a lot coming up from behind.
bleedrockiepurple
I like it. Stew’s time is done in CO, hes been given too many opportunities and the club is getting tired of it, a change of scenery could really do him some good and get him back on track. As for Outman, he adds depth to a team in the Rox that seem to be needing a 5th starter or even bullpen help if anything.
Interesting deal i must say.
Shawn Bernard
The problem is that he’s just not very good. Below average bat and below average glove.
David
What makes you say that? While I agree his defense is questionable, the bat is there. His numbers in the minors were very nice and he’s shown good power in the majors. His problem is that he can’t hit lefties, but the potential is still very much there.
Lunchbox45
Id take him over Nix??
Jeremy Johnson
How about Bradley for him and then the Mariners kick Figgins to the curve.
bleedrockiepurple
Bad joke. The Rox would never take him on even if Seattle took ALL of Bradley’s contract.
progmatinee
Stewart gets his share of errors, but his fielding is off the charts. Not quite sure why you guys say he’s below average.
notsureifsrs
UZR doesn’t like his work much, but TZL and +/- both do
Pitcher
I agree with you guys
Lucas Gomez
Cardinals; Second base?
Michael
i hope the angels get him or Pedro from PIT from PIT
inkstainedscribe
The Braves should make a call. Sure he hits lefty, but he could be insurance at 3B for Chipper or even take over in LF if Prado moved to 3B.
ariel777
If the Rox decide to trade him, any team without a top flight third baseman will be interested. He remains an enormous talent with exceptional power especially for 3B. As a Rockies fan, I hate to say it but Ian would be better off elsewhere, especially in SoCal. Tracy has virtually destroyed his confidence. The Angels would be ideal for him….he probably would then realize his potential, given the patience and support Scioscia has shown for lesser talents.