Cubs make a trade

[Da Coach]

The Cubs have made their first trade of the Theo Epstein era-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-acquire-stewart-from-rockies-in-4player-deal-20111208,0,7724196.story

The Cubs acquired 3rd baseman Ian Stewart from the Colorado Rockies, along with a right-handed minor league pitcher Casey Weathers for a couple of the Cubs prospects Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu.

The Cubs may be taking a bit of a chance on Stewart, who's lifetime batting average is only .236. He hit only .156 last season, with 0 home runs and only 6 RBI. He was limited to 122 at bats partly because of a mysterious wrist injury.
He did put up some power numbers in the previous 2 years, with 25 HR in 2009 and 18 in 2010. But realize those power numbers were helped by playing in Coors Field. He also strikes out a lot, almost 400 times in a little over 1200 official at-bats in his career.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stewaia01.shtml

The other player acquired, Casey Weathers also appears to be damaged goods. He was a first round (#8 overall) draft pick in 2007, but has never developed much. He missed all of 2009 with elbow reconstruction surgery. In the 2 seasons since he recovered, he has pitched in the lower minors (low A, A, and AA) and had a hard time keeping his ERA under 5.00.

What do Cubs fans think? I am not convinced this trade is a great one for the Cubs. The Cubs also signed free agent outfielder David DeJesus, who also had a miserable season last year for Oakland, and is primarily a singles hitter. Will the Cubs be able to replace the power numbers they are losing?

[Future Walk-On]

haha the Cubs still making questionable deals.....

[Future Walk-On]

at least this one is low key

i thought Cubs fans like Colvin I wonder what they think

[spoon]

The trade is simply a change of scenery for both Colvin and Stewart. Colvin had an awful year last year and with a glut of outfielders already, the Cubs found him to be expendable and decided to give him a chance elsewhere. Ian Stewart was supposed to be on par with Troy Tulowitzki in terms or offensive prowess, but something went wrong over the last few years. Stewart is two years removed from a 25 homer campaign, so there's hope. He's a high strikeout, low average hitter, capable of hitting between 25-30 homeruns. He'll be starting at 3rd base. I, as well as most other cubs fans, are in favor of this trade. Especially since it provides a stopgap for one of our needs, gives a young player a chance at redemption, and it's a creative way to try and seek production. The Cubs don't have much wiggle room this year, so it's best to buy low right now on a few players, and I have no problem with that. Spend money on a little bit of pitching for next year and wait for Soriano, Zambrano, and Dempster's contracts to expire or become tradeable in the next couple years.

[Future Walk-On]

I am sorry for not knowing, but what is aramis doing?

[spoon]

Aramis Ramirez is a free agent this year. It's a down year for free agent third basemen and he's clearly the best option available. The Cubs and Ramirez have chosen to mutually part ways. I'd look for him to sign with a contender that has a hole at 3rd base. My original guess would have been the Angels, but with the amount of money they spent in the last few days, I'm not sure how feasible that would be. I'd say the Tigers look like a good fit for Aramis.

[Future Walk-On]

Aramis Ramirez is a free agent this year. It's a down year for free agent third basemen and he's clearly the best option available. The Cubs and Ramirez have chosen to mutually part ways. I'd look for him to sign with a contender that has a hole at 3rd base. My original guess would have been the Angels, but with the amount of money they spent in the last few days, I'm not sure how feasible that would be. I'd say the Tigers look like a good fit for Aramis.

thx. yeah i saw Brewers possibly too.

[spoon]

thx. yeah i saw Brewers possibly too.

Yeah the Brew Crew could be a good destination too because they lose a lot of pop in their lineup if Fielder leaves (and they'd lose a lot more if the Braun-Steroid scandal turns out to be true). Casey McGehee isn't the most reliable option at third base, and who knows if Mat Gamel is ever going to amount to anything. Aramis makes sense.

It looks like it's going to be a rough year for Chicago baseball. Kenny is blowing up his team on the south side to rebuild, and the Cubs are years away from competing. I'm hoping my Cubbies make some moves for pitching (hopefully getting in the bidding war for Darvish, and maybe signing a journeyman like Edwin Jackson.) There's also a gaping hole in our offense. When you write out a lineup right now there is literally no one to bat in the 3-hole. DeJesus, Castro, Byrd, Stewart, Soriano, Soto, LaHair, Barney. That might be the weakest lineup in baseball.