Colorado Rockies Trade Rumors: Chris Iannetta Being Looked At By Pittsburgh, Cleveland?

by Andrew Martin on Jul 22, 2011 5:53 PM MDT in Transactions & Rumors

DENVER, CO - JULY 21: Starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Colorado Rockies is visited on the mound by pitching coach Bob Apodaca #36 and catcher Chris Iannetta of the Rockies as he works against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on July 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Braves defeated the Rockies 9-6. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

So it begins. Well, continues. As the 2011 MLB Trade Deadline draws near, Catcher Chris Iannetta is being asked about by a couple of teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cleveland Indians.

Pittsburgh has had nothing but woes with their backstops. Ryan Doumit hit the DL earlier this season, which was the first blow, given his decent batting numbers (113 wRC+ - suggesting he's about 13% above the average batter). Chris Snyder looked similarly solid (116 wRC+) before undergoing back surgery. Pittsburgh traded for Boston's Michael McKenry (the same as the one who used to play for the Sky Sox) and has played 7 different catchers this season alone.

Cleveland's situation is less dire, as Carlos Santana is a fine catcher and Lou Marson, while nothing flashy, is a fine backup. Acquiring Iannetta would allow the Indians to leave a steady catcher behind the plate, avoid injury to Santana (who had his knee wrecked in 2010 during a home plate collision), and upgrade their 1B bat by leaving Santana there more often (Matt LaPorta's 96 wRC+ leaves something to be desired).

While losing Iannetta would surely be another hit to the Rockies' lineup, it wouldn't really impact the ultimate end to the season - missing the postseason. Instead, if a trade were to happen, the Rockies would be able to give top catching prospect Wilin Rosario a shot in the majors, or perhaps even Jordan Pacheco (who may be more of a 1B/3B/C type of utility player).

Iannetta, 28, is doing a solid job as Colorado's primary catcher, posting a 115 wRC+ on the season. Iannetta is in the 2nd year of a 3-year, $8.35M contract with Colorado. He has had a career as a roughly MLB-average bat (102 wRC+), but has drawn a lot of short straws in catcher competitions over the past couple of years, losing the starting role to Yorvit Torrealba and Miguel Olivo at different points.

Don't expect this to be the only potential move you hear about involving Colorado, as several other players are candidates to be moved this deadline.

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GMs, act now….remember, Stewart can be yours for just 3 e-z payments of ~~$49.95~~ $39.95.

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by bishoPurple on Jul 22, 2011 6:08 PM MDT reply actions

but wait.., there's more!

Not only do you get Stewart for this ridiculously low price you won’t find in stores, but if you call now, we’ll also include a set of Rex Brothers, absolutely free*! Don’t wait! Operators are standing by.

*- not actually free. Not actually for sale, actually, or available. It’s just been awhile since we’ve had a good Rex Brothers joke on Purple Row.

by Rox Girl on Jul 22, 2011 6:26 PM MDT up reply actions

And if you order within the next 10 minutes

We’ll double your order and you’ll get the wonderful Ryan Spillborghs as well!

by TehChamp on Jul 22, 2011 6:52 PM MDT up reply actions

and as a special bonus...We will throw in the speedy Eric Young Jr.

How do you get your kids to behave? Threaten not to take them to a Rockies game. They straighten up REAL QUICK.
Self taught and falling in love with this game is very easy to do, you can never hate it, and that is something that not one person can take away from anybody. The love of baseball and OUR COLORADO ROCKIES.

by Roxman4ever on Jul 22, 2011 6:54 PM MDT up reply actions

and if you're planning on playing in october, don't forget to ask about our famous ubaldo jimenez!

(note: ubaldo jimenezes are in rare quantity, and may or may not be available on inquiry)

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

i dont care if it's tracy's fault or not, i want heads to roll

by papality on Jul 22, 2011 7:56 PM MDT up reply actions

This could, in fact, be the series

In which Brothers gets squeezed by Cousins. And then Brothers lets Cousins have it, and Cousins tosses Brothers.

And the whole thing gets very dysfunctional.

by Northsider1964 on Jul 22, 2011 11:40 PM MDT up reply actions

So, will next year be that start of Generation S?

by DumbAndNerdy on Jul 22, 2011 6:14 PM MDT reply actions

No

Tulo, Stew, Ubaldo, etc. were Generation S, the new one is Generation T

by free7694 on Jul 22, 2011 7:57 PM MDT up reply actions

What will Todd be then?

He was Todd and the Toddlers for GenR, and the Toddfather for GenS.

Next up: Todd goes hunting?

"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK

by jrockies on Jul 22, 2011 11:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Ugh

I’m not one of the die-hard CDI defenders (as catcher war vets will surely recall) but I don’t care for the idea of pushing him out in the manner suggested in Renck’s recent stuff. As with most everyone, a good deal is a good deal, but I just don’t see us getting equal value back here. And Rosario doesn’t seem ready. And…whatever. I guess i’ll just watch and see.

by Teekalong on Jul 22, 2011 6:26 PM MDT reply actions

I agree. I probably do defend him a bit, just because it seems the Post has it out for him, but he's expendable for the right deal.

If that doesn’t materialize, we should hold out until the offseason.

Rosario is looking really good lately, however. I think that’s part of why this is coming up so suddenly, our player development staff must be liking what they’re seeing in Tulsa.

by Rox Girl on Jul 22, 2011 6:29 PM MDT up reply actions

I want the Ubaldo rumors to die

He isn’t going to get traded. Not unless one of the big teams has a major injury to a pitcher.

by TehChamp on Jul 22, 2011 6:34 PM MDT reply actions

FFFFFFFF

CarGo to DL

EY Jr coming up

by steakman on Jul 22, 2011 6:37 PM MDT reply actions

Saw that

Who’s in the OF?
Wiggy in LF?
Spilly in CF?

by TehChamp on Jul 22, 2011 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions

Tonight's lineup

Fowler in CF
Smith in RF
Spilly in LF

by steakman on Jul 22, 2011 6:40 PM MDT up reply actions

I wish it were

Spilly in left out

by Purple Row Troll on Jul 22, 2011 6:42 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Sellers?

That’s fine with me, actually. Hopefully we can pick up a few pieces that will help us next season (or who knows, even this season?)

Carlos Gonzalez has an extraordinary tendency to amplify light through stimulated emission of radiation in frequent bursts.
Shoulder-to-Shoulder for life!
Hollidayrain Music

by Hollidayrain on Jul 22, 2011 6:46 PM MDT reply actions