Stewart/Dewitt swap?

[Banedon]

Seriously though, if this was actually presented to Hoyerstein, I have to believe that not accepting it means one of two things:

 

1.) Cubs are holding out hope for a better 3B, possibly Headley.

2.) DeWitt figures into their trade plans somewhere else.

 

I'm going with the former.

 

My guess is that Dewitt is only part of what they want. Not the entire deal.

[rawaction]

Ian Stewart is just like Blake DeWitt, but about 72X better with much more potential. Why isn't this trade done already if the Rockies want it?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have asked the Cubs for utilityman Blake DeWitt in a deal for third baseman Ian Stewart.

Renck said talks between the two clubs have "cooled" but could be revisited at the winter meetings. It's hard to believe the Cubs would balk at the idea of trading DeWitt, who holds a career .260/.329/.385 batting line across 1,087 at-bats, if they are serious about dealing for Stewart. The Rockies appear willing to give up on Stewart after an ugly 2011 season that saw him bat just .156/.243/.221 with zero homers over 136 plate appearances, but he does represent an intriguing buy-low opportunity.

 

This is from Rotoworld. If it was just a rumor or speculation that doesn't happen, that would be one thing, but the fact that the Rockies actually asked for DeWitt in exchange for Stewart would make it inexcuseable not to make it happen. The possitive of this deal outweighs the negative by quite a bit. It's not like they're asking for Matt Szczur, Josh Vitters, or even LeMahieu here. They're asking for a spare part in exchange for a 26 year old one time top 5 prospect.

[ctcf]

Seriously though, if this was actually presented to Hoyerstein, I have to believe that not accepting it means one of two things:

 

1.) Cubs are holding out hope for a better 3B, possibly Headley.

2.) DeWitt figures into their trade plans somewhere else.

 

I'm going with the former.

 

My guess is that Dewitt is only part of what they want. Not the entire deal.

 

That's what I'd hope the situation is.

[Guest]

Wow, this would be a steal. I'm kinda with trey, though; if Stewart can be had this cheaply, and hasn't been snatched up yet, there is likely something about him we don't know.

 

Anyone looking to buy low on Stewart probably wants to wait and see if they non-tender him. Personally, I want to non-tender Blake DeWitt, so I'd swap them and not worry about anyone else grabbing him first.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Seriously though, if this was actually presented to Hoyerstein, I have to believe that not accepting it means one of two things:

 

1.) Cubs are holding out hope for a better 3B, possibly Headley.

2.) DeWitt figures into their trade plans somewhere else.

 

I'm going with the former.

 

My guess is that Dewitt is only part of what they want. Not the entire deal.

 

That's what I'd hope the situation is.

 

They originally stated that they wanted a AAA or AA pitcher for Stewart. Of our current AAA-AA pitchers, the only ones I'd be hesitant to move are McNutt, Carpenter, Beliveau, Struck, and Whitenack. Maybe Oswaldo Martinez or Larry Suarez unless they were sending us something else as well. I still think that DeWitt and Coleman would be a sufficient return.

[pitchcs]

No more Blake DeWitt please -- trade for anything except Neifi

[Elrhino]

As someone who's really hoping for Headley, the fact that Theo didn't agree to this deal on the spot gives me hope. I'm a big, fat meh on Stewart.

[illiniguy]

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have asked the Cubs for utilityman Blake DeWitt in a deal for third baseman Ian Stewart.

Renck said talks between the two clubs have "cooled" but could be revisited at the winter meetings. It's hard to believe the Cubs would balk at the idea of trading DeWitt, who holds a career .260/.329/.385 batting line across 1,087 at-bats, if they are serious about dealing for Stewart. The Rockies appear willing to give up on Stewart after an ugly 2011 season that saw him bat just .156/.243/.221 with zero homers over 136 plate appearances, but he does represent an intriguing buy-low opportunity.

 

This is from Rotoworld. If it was just a rumor or speculation that doesn't happen, that would be one thing, but the fact that the Rockies actually asked for DeWitt in exchange for Stewart would make it inexcuseable not to make it happen. The possitive of this deal outweighs the negative by quite a bit. It's not like they're asking for Matt Szczur, Josh Vitters, or even LeMahieu here. They're asking for a spare part in exchange for a 26 year old one time top 5 prospect.

When was Stewart a top 5 prospect? Do you mean for the Rockies?

[Little Slide Rooter]

As someone who's really hoping for Headley, the fact that Theo didn't agree to this deal on the spot gives me hope. I'm a big, fat meh on Stewart.

 

Does Stewart neccessarily have to make Headley out of the question? Stewart has played some outfield and a touch of 2nd. If the only price is DeWitt and another minor piece, I'd be willing to take a chance regardless. Headley, on the other hand isn't neccessarily on the block and would cost far more. If we really wanted, we could use Stewart in DeWitts role and Headley as the starting 3B. Alternately, we give Stewart the chance at 3rd if the Padres don't move Headley this offseason, and if Stewart bombs, then we see what they want for Headley next year, or even in July, which would give Stewart enough of a chance to prove himself considering his existing big league track record.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have asked the Cubs for utilityman Blake DeWitt in a deal for third baseman Ian Stewart.

Renck said talks between the two clubs have "cooled" but could be revisited at the winter meetings. It's hard to believe the Cubs would balk at the idea of trading DeWitt, who holds a career .260/.329/.385 batting line across 1,087 at-bats, if they are serious about dealing for Stewart. The Rockies appear willing to give up on Stewart after an ugly 2011 season that saw him bat just .156/.243/.221 with zero homers over 136 plate appearances, but he does represent an intriguing buy-low opportunity.

 

This is from Rotoworld. If it was just a rumor or speculation that doesn't happen, that would be one thing, but the fact that the Rockies actually asked for DeWitt in exchange for Stewart would make it inexcuseable not to make it happen. The possitive of this deal outweighs the negative by quite a bit. It's not like they're asking for Matt Szczur, Josh Vitters, or even LeMahieu here. They're asking for a spare part in exchange for a 26 year old one time top 5 prospect.

When was Stewart a top 5 prospect? Do you mean for the Rockies?

 

According to BBR:

 

2004: #57

2005: #4

2006: #16

2007: #46

2008: #38

[illiniguy]

Ah I always defer to Baseball America, couldn't remember them ever being that high on him.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Those are baseball americas rankings as posted by BBR.

 

Seriously, if we could get a 4th outfielder or decent middle reliever for DeWitt, I'd jump all over it, but this is an opportunity to fill one of our biggest holes and focus on 1st and the rotation.

Edited December 2, 2011 by Little Slide Rooter

[illiniguy]

Those are baseball americas rankings as posted by BBR.

Really? 4th? I dont remember that at all. Huh.

[KingCubsFan]

As someone who's really hoping for Headley, the fact that Theo didn't agree to this deal on the spot gives me hope. I'm a big, fat meh on Stewart.

Headley's a nice player, but he's not worth trading your top prospects for. The Cubs need to save their trading chips for better players.

[davell]

It's a game. Theo probably prefers Headley. But, at some point, how much is he going to cost in return becomes a huge factor. So, he holds off the Rockies until he gets to the bottom of what it's going to take on Headley. If Stewart gets dealt before Theo decides whether Headley is worth it or not, then Theo kind of loses the game here. But, he probably has a 3rd option anyway, so it's not really all that bothersome. What about Betemit on a one year deal? Is he THAT awful?

[Little Slide Rooter]

As someone who's really hoping for Headley, the fact that Theo didn't agree to this deal on the spot gives me hope. I'm a big, fat meh on Stewart.

Headley's a nice player, but he's not worth trading your top prospects for. The Cubs need to save their trading chips for better players.

 

Bingo. Our top 3 holes are 1st, a front end starter, and 3rd. We could fill 3rd for next to nothing here, and if it doesn't work out, oh well, back to the drawing board and Ian Stewart ends up in Japan and DeWitt ends up as a utility man with a 10 year career spread between 8 teams.

 

Also, as of now, Josh Vitters is still viewed as the 3rd baseman of the future, and if nothing else Stewart is a 1 year band-aid while we give Vitters a year in Iowa to decide whether or not we'll need to consider another long term option. If Stewart does pay off, then we could consider shifting one of them to the outfield.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's a game. Theo probably prefers Headley. But, at some point, how much is he going to cost in return becomes a huge factor. So, he holds off the Rockies until he gets to the bottom of what it's going to take on Headley. If Stewart gets dealt before Theo decides whether Headley is worth it or not, then Theo kind of loses the game here. But, he probably has a 3rd option anyway, so it's not really all that bothersome. What about Betemit on a one year deal? Is he THAT awful?

 

If so, it's a stupid game. As I said before, even if Theo thinks that he has a shot at Headley between now and next winter, there's no reason not to jump on Stewart if the price is DeWitt. If nothing else he's a lefty off the bench and compete with LaHair and Colvin for the last bench spot which DeWitt likely would have done anyway.

Edited December 2, 2011 by Little Slide Rooter

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's a game. Theo probably prefers Headley. But, at some point, how much is he going to cost in return becomes a huge factor. So, he holds off the Rockies until he gets to the bottom of what it's going to take on Headley. If Stewart gets dealt before Theo decides whether Headley is worth it or not, then Theo kind of loses the game here. But, he probably has a 3rd option anyway, so it's not really all that bothersome. What about Betemit on a one year deal? Is he THAT awful?

 

If so, it's a stupid game. As I said before, even if Theo thinks that he has a shot at Headley between now and next winter, there's no reason not to jump on Stewart if the price is DeWitt.

 

The question isn't the cost. It's whether you want Stewart at all. If you pick him up, you are giving him a roster spot, playing time, and $2.5 million or so. I'm not convinced that's worth it.

[JoshiQ]

The stuff I see keep saying that they asked for DeWitt in a deal for Stewart. I don't think it means a straight up switch. I doubt all they would want is DeWitt. Now, they probably wouldn't want a ton more, but they are probably wanting a prospect along with DeWitt.

[Elrhino]

As someone who's really hoping for Headley, the fact that Theo didn't agree to this deal on the spot gives me hope. I'm a big, fat meh on Stewart.

Headley's a nice player, but he's not worth trading your top prospects for. The Cubs need to save their trading chips for better players.

 

Depends on who and what your "top prospects" are.

[Elrhino]

It's a game. Theo probably prefers Headley. But, at some point, how much is he going to cost in return becomes a huge factor. So, he holds off the Rockies until he gets to the bottom of what it's going to take on Headley. If Stewart gets dealt before Theo decides whether Headley is worth it or not, then Theo kind of loses the game here. But, he probably has a 3rd option anyway, so it's not really all that bothersome. What about Betemit on a one year deal? Is he THAT awful?

 

If so, it's a stupid game. As I said before, even if Theo thinks that he has a shot at Headley between now and next winter, there's no reason not to jump on Stewart if the price is DeWitt.

 

The question isn't the cost. It's whether you want Stewart at all. If you pick him up, you are giving him a roster spot, playing time, and $2.5 million or so. I'm not convinced that's worth it.

 

And I consider giving crappy players at bats a cost.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's a game. Theo probably prefers Headley. But, at some point, how much is he going to cost in return becomes a huge factor. So, he holds off the Rockies until he gets to the bottom of what it's going to take on Headley. If Stewart gets dealt before Theo decides whether Headley is worth it or not, then Theo kind of loses the game here. But, he probably has a 3rd option anyway, so it's not really all that bothersome. What about Betemit on a one year deal? Is he THAT awful?

 

If so, it's a stupid game. As I said before, even if Theo thinks that he has a shot at Headley between now and next winter, there's no reason not to jump on Stewart if the price is DeWitt.

 

The question isn't the cost. It's whether you want Stewart at all. If you pick him up, you are giving him a roster spot, playing time, and $2.5 million or so. I'm not convinced that's worth it.

 

And I consider giving crappy players at bats a cost.

 

So what if the at bats are going to Stewart, DeWitt, Colvin, or LaHair. At least with Stewart he could potentially be something more.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

So what if the at bats are going to Stewart, DeWitt, Colvin, or LaHair. At least with Stewart he could potentially be something more.

 

If our management team is a fraction as good as they are supposed to be, those can't be the only four options.

[Guest]

DO IT NOW.