Chicago Cubs Acquire Ian Stewart, Casey Weathers From Colorado

The Chicago Cubs acquired third baseman Ian Stewart and relief pitcher Casey Weathers from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post.

The deal gives the Cubs a new regular third baseman presumably, as Stewart will make at least $2 million through arbitration in 2012 and Chicago has a hole given the departure of Aramis Ramirez. The 26-year-old had a brutal 2011, though, posting a 156/.243/.221 line in limited playing time with the Rockies.

He did post a .599 slugging percentage in Triple-A, but that was in the ridiculously hitter-friendly Colorado Springs. There's some upside there given the power and patience, though. Weathers is a former first-round pick with big stuff but zero command, so there's still potential as a reliever if he can ever figure out where the ball is going.

The Rockies get a couple of young position players in the deal. Colvin, 26, had a similar year to Stewart in the majors, struggling to the tune of a .150/.204/.306 line in 222 plate appearances with the Cubs. He offers power, but strikes out a lot and doesn't walk much. LeMahieu, 23, posted a .250/.262/.283 line in 62 plate appearances with the Cubs last season. He could end up competing for the second base job in Colorado, though, after hitting .317 over the course of three minor league seasons.

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