Rockies send Stewart, Weathers to Cubs
The Colorado Rockies have reportedly traded two former first-round picks, infielder Ian Stewart and right-handed pitcher Casey Weathers, to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu.
Stewart, the 10th overall pick in the 2003 draft, hit .156 with no home runs and six RBI for the Rockies in 2011 and spent most of the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Weathers, the 8th overall pick in 2007, has had a rocky return from Tommy John surgery and battled control at Double-A Tulsa, where he walked 48 batters in 45 2/3 innings.
Colvin, like Stewart and Weathers is a former first-round pick, the 13th player taken in 2006. After a solid rookie season in 2010 during which he hit .254 with 20 home runs and 56 RBI, the 26-year-old outfielder fell off last year and hit .150 with six home runs and 20 RBI.
LeMahieu, 23, a second-round pick in 2009, played second base, third base and shortstop in the minors. He hit .319 with five home runs and 50 RBI while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A in 2011 and hit . 250 in 37 games in a brief major-league appearances in June and September.
Stewart for Colvin has been kicked around for a couple weeks. It’s safe to say Stewart really needed a change of scenery. Also has to lead you to believe Seth Smith will be dealt.
Wow. I was not an Ian Stewart fan, but knew he still had a lot of potential. I think I like this trade a lot as its moving 4 guys that all seemed to stagnate. Not sure what we are going to do with so many LH outfielders. Something has to give. Will LeMahieu play 2nd or 3rd?
Too bad Weathers never seemed to fully recover from his Tommy John surgery. He was on the fast track to majors in ’08 before the injured shoulder. Regardless, drafting a college closer with the first pick (#8 overall) was yet another questionable draft-day move by the Rockies.
Just like Atkins and Hawpe, Stewart’s Colorado career ends with a quiet exit.
Let’s hope the surplus of young centerfielders enables O’Dowd to move one of them with Smith to acquire Prado.
A major league bust and a minor league bust for a major league bust and a minor league bust. The deal is not worth the ink on the new contracts.
Oops…it was an elbow injury that Weathers suffered, not shoulder.
Xmas comes early for me…hope Stew finds happiness in Chi-town … never liked his swing or drive.
Alex…any pitcher taken in a draft is a crapshoot…maybe it pans out, maybe it doesn’t…time will tell.
I predict one(or two)MAJOR move(s)in the very near future…since we obtained Colvin we are set in the outfield whoever plays there, be it Smith, Colvin or Blackmon…doesn’t matter to me…it’s the semi-stud SP or semi-stud 3b we get that keeps me interested.
Cudyer(sic)is a no-go IMO. Twins(human)just arrived, nice 3-year deal on the table from the Twins…I don’t see him moving, although I hope I’m wrong. If we get him and a semi-stud SP I will live with what happens at 3B or 2B for that matter.
Come on spring!!
This deal actually makes sense and I like it. Two guys, Stewart and Colvin, who found some success but couldn’t maintain it Could be a wash, although I wish the Rox had a better answer at 3B than Brandon Wood (unless Nolan A. is truly the guy in ’12). I’d say the others in the trade amount to a positive. for the Rox. Weathers was horrible in the AFL and was really going nowhere in the Colorado system. But at least DJL seems to be a comer, having made it all the way to a September callup after being drafted in ’09. Not bad. Maybe he will show something. We are pretty sure that Weathers was a washout.
Bottom line: If Stewart and Colvin stay where they are the change of scenery idea might make a difference. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Rox flipped Colvin to the Braves, however.
Agree Ed – there’s a bigger deal brewing.
Common thread of the players recently moved or rumored to move: Stewart, Iannetta, Smith = all very laid back, non demonstrative and quiet.
Wondering if O’Dowd and to some extent Tulo are tired of that attitude.
Amen progmatinee, change of towns won’t help Stewart he lacks passion to play the game. But with the rotation this club has see you later.
Jim, you summed it up perfectly.
But let’s take a closer look.
Colvin has never had even a minimally impressive minor league season. Here’s his OPS numbers in the minors: 796, 812, 736, 812, 748. His 2010 season for the Cubs (816 OPS) is jarringly out of place. He’s a poorer option for the OF than Blackmon right now, and a probably than Wheeler next year. My fear: O’Dowd is planning to use him in CF so he can trade Fowler for some other mediocrity like Martin Prado. If they do that I will not attend a single game this year.
Stewart drove us nuts, but his career MAJOR LEAGUE OPS is 751. Which is, well, not good, but is also just a tick below Colvin’s MINOR LEAGUE OPS. So because they’re both busts doesn’t mean they’re busts of the same magnitude. Colvin has Stewart beat by a large margin on the Prospect Bust-o-Meter.
Weathers may have been the stupidest high draft pick ever. He threw hard. That’s about all you could say about him before he got injured. And even if he’d been solid he was still a reliever only who’d give you a max of 70 innings per year. Simply not worth wasting a very high pick on. After spending a lot of time and money on him, he’s gone for the second coming of Brent Butler.
So I guess some third baseman is coming because right now we’re down to Chris Nelson and Jordan Pacheco. How could the third base situation get any worse than last year? It just did.
I never saw Smith as “laid back.”
I’ve made no secret of my dislike of Stewart, but I am puzzled by the trade for another OF, which we have plenty of. I fear Ed might be right that the Cuddyer deal is a bust.
I did a little reading on LeMahieu. He’s obviously the key to this trade. If he can play 2B and hit anywhere near what was expected of him he immediately becomes the best 2B candidate in spring training. Over at John Sickels site, one commenter mentioned Todd Walker as a possible comparable. Also Mark Grudzelanek. I’ll take either of those guys. Lets hope LeMahieu makes it to that level. He’s obviously disappointed the Cubs so far.
If we don’t get Cuddyer, we will get Josh Willingham. Wiggy bring traded away gave the job to Jordan Pacheco as the cornerman and utility role. Stewart being traded gave the job to Nolan Arenado which will be his to lose in ST.
Now we have the cash to get a semi-stud SP. we talked about attitude or lack of…let’s give Carlos Zambrano a one year contract so he can whack some coolers and go nose to nose with the umps.
The best option now for O’Dowd is trade colvin and smith to atlanta for prado (just get that deal done we need a decent 2nd baseman)
then try real hard for cuddyer was we would lose 2 outfielders, thats my opinion
and i would be pretty happy with that
its about time
Why trade for another outfielder?! Come on Dan start making some moves that make sense!!!!!
If they wind up sending Smith and Colvin to the Braves for Prado AND signing Cuddyer, I am not totally opposed to this move. Prado would be the best 2B they’ve ever had, LeMathieu becomes a backup at two positions, and an OF of Gonzo, Fowler and Cuddyer is an upgrade over where we’ve been. Going into spring training with a lineup like this is intriguing:
CF Fowler
2B Prado
LF Gonzalez
SS Tulowitzki
RF Cuddyer
1B Helton
3B Arenado
C Hernandez
Bench: Blackmon, Young, Pacheco, Rosario, LeMathieu.
That might actually be the best lineup this team has had. Of course this is a big if. Have to get those two deals (or something like it) done.
I should say “best lineup since the Blake Street Bombers.”
Guys, (Tracy, Steve, and Jack)
Thank you so much for this site, it certainly eased the loss of the Rocky Mountain News. Your reporting and insight are terrific and I wish you nothing but the best in the future. I will miss you!
Guys, (all you “turkeys” that comment on this site)
I will miss you too! I loved that I agreed and felt the same way as 90% of you after each game/trade/whatever. A few of you have taught me some very interesting facts and figures and I thank you. I hope to see some familiar names in the Post (and if you are going to a different site please let me know).
Once again thank you all, and have a super New Year,
So…one year after most-everyone decided that the Rox needed “FISSH” to perform in order for the team to excel, it’s now been gutted and picked apart by the gulls. Only the head and the tail remain.
Time for some more tiles(?) so that the Scrabble-game can resume.
I understand the trade, but don’t necessarily think that it is a good one. I have absolutely no use for Colvin. As Agbayani pointed out, he wasn’t even a particularly useful minor league player whereas Stewart was dominating in the minors. My continued loathing of Jim Tracy perhaps taints my opinion, but Ian Stewart was very badly mishandled last year. If he ever rebuilds his confidence, he may be a beast, and a beast at a position that is extremely thin.
That said, this DJ kid may be the real deal and was no doubt the key to this trade. If he is as he appears, he will likely be a solid 2B. If he exceeds expectations and develops some power, perhaps a 3B. If I take a moment to be objective, DJ is probably the most likely of the four to stick on a MLB roster long term.
Okay…technically, Smith is still around. The gulls haven’t quite finished, as yet.
The Rockies still have very subpar collective corners, a terrible manager, trouble in the rotation and no sure-fire answer at 2B. There has been a bunch of noise, but really nothing has accomplished to fix the roster. The conference call is next Wednesday. Perhaps they will do something before then.
The only logical move now is to package Smith, one of our 17 CF’s and whoever fills some holes for the Braves (without giving up our untouchable minor leaguers)and get Prado and Jurgens. Or at least just Prado. If Cuddyer stays with the Twins (I agree with Ed on this) then Willingham would be a good alternative. If we are looking at pitching and miss on Kuroda then I would like to see us make a run at Edwin Jackson.
Never liked Stewart’s offense, too many holes. Wish it would have worked out here cause the kid can play some mean 3B. When we play the Cubs, very simple. Curve balls and off speed pitches. He’ll never get a hit.
Wasn’t wild about the Weathers draft, so this is OK by me.
I hope Ed is right and there are some major moves on the horizon.
I’m not sure why so many of you are so eager to ship Smith out.
Smith’s numbers (5 seasons):
G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
487 1449 1285 200 354 78 19 51 181 17 4 142 251 .275 .348 .485
(2109) 1870 291 515 113 28 74 263 25 6 207 365
Prado (6 seasons):
527 2109 1929 274 566 126 10 42 216 13 15 139 239 .293 .341 .434
Without adjusting for PA, Smith has more triples, HR, SB, walks, and better BA and SLG.
In Smith’s second line I adjusted his stats to 2109 PA. Smith tops Prado in everything except hits, 2B, and SO. And his 12 extra SB make up for his deficit in doubles.
I don’t think it makes any sense to trade Smith unless we get one of the following:
– Sign Cuddyer or some other stud OF to replace Smith in the BA
– A top 3B
– A stud SP
If DOD can ink Cuddyer, then go ahead and trade Smith for Prado.
Sorry my columns didn’t line up.
I mostly agree with Miketober. I’m still not conviced the Cuddyer will be some upgrade over Smith.
I am sad to see Stewart go. Too bad he had such a terrible last season. I really believed he could/should have developed into the #5 guy in the lineup. This trade did nothing for me. In fact, I even believe the Rockies got the worst of this deal. I guess time will tell.
Why in the hec would the Braves want Colvin? Seriously? Why? Those that think Smith/Colvin for Prado should go post that on some of the Braves sites and be ready for the responses you will get.
I know some follow Troy Renck so, if you believe him, the latest is the Rockies are not interested in Prado. For some unexplained reason they now believe he can’t play 2nd base??? There were many stories by both local and national guys talking about the Rockies interest in Prado. Then, on day 3 of the meetings, it was determined he can’t play 2nd so no interest and the focus shifted to Jurrjens.
Can’t play 2B, Mike, or won’t play 2B?
More Smith vs. Prado.
I like this much about Prado: He has fewer K’s, and is much more consistent against righties/lefties, so maybe Mr. Micromanager would play him every day.
Smith vs RHP: .290 .364 .518 (BA OBP SLG)
Smith vs LHP: .202 .269 .319
Prado vs RHP: .303 .340 .436
Prado vs LHP: .273 .342 .432
Miketober, I am not in a hurry to trade Smith, but he at least has some value right now and could land us a piece. We now have like 23 OF’s and other than Cargo and Dex, Smith has the most trade value.
Actually Curt. I messed up. My bad. Prado and Polanco have run together in my mind. Thank you to Wayne for correcting me!
MikeRaysfan, no problem.
I asked this on another thread and not sure you will catch it there.
What do you know about the Port Charlotte area in Florida south of Tampa. Getting close to retirement and looking to flee the cold.
certainly would like to see a pitcher come in. A good pitching staff negates the need for 8 gold gloves behind you . We saved money on Street now it is all about showing fans “the money”. Talking about it is over, go make some deals!
Wayne, if you like being out of the hustle and bustle of the crowded burbs then you will most likely like it. It’s not bad. It’s grown a bunch over the last 10 years. Are you on the DP site?
MikeRaysfan, this is the only site I read and post to. I live in Greeley now and at 92000 it is getting too crowded, and too cold for me.
drrockies,
I have to disagree with you somewhat. Having 8 gold glovers behind you can make you a much better pitcher. The pitchers will be much more confident because know the fielders will get most of the balls that are hit. IMHO the Rocks infield, especially when Stewart and Barmes were playing, saved the pitchers at least a half run on their ERA if not more.
A bad defense, especially when Wiggington was playing for example, can lead to an inflated ERA.
What does it tell you that a team that is obviously on a push to make the World Series in the next couple years thinks that Iannetta is the right catcher to get them there?
Jerry DiPoto got passed over for promotions by the Rockies so he left for Arizona, then parlayed his success there into about the sweetest situation any new GM could find himself in. DiPoto was a smart guy — I really enjoyed his commentary when he did a few broadcasts of Rockies games — and I’m guessing he’ll deliver the results. Not too hard with the budget he’s been given, but I also think he’s on the money with more cost-effective guys like Iannetta.
One final (I promise) thought on changing the chemistry by bringing in more fiery players and sending the more laid-back guys packing:
Ty Wigginton, signed last year at this time, was described as a guy who would bring a fiery presence to the clubhouse and the field.
One season of batting .180 with runners in scoring position and all of a sudden his fiery passion wasn’t worth anything.
Keep that in mind the next time you read about changing the “personality” of a ballclub.