Ian Stewart, the Rockies third baseman, is writing a book: How-to Quickly Make Your Club Blow Through Your Minor League Options. This step-by-step guide will show readers exactly how one player can master the art of being sent down to triple-A in a grandiose, disappointing fashion. In all seriousness, Stewart has been a monumental disappointment so far. This season was supposed to be his break-out year, and he signed a $2.2 million, one-year contract during the off-season. Instead, he has been sent to Colorado Springs twice in the first month and a half of the season, and maybe for good this time.
He is working incredibly hard at redefining the Mendoza Line by batting .064 with three hits and one RBI in 21 games. He is great down in the Springs, though; his last 11-game stint had him batting .361 with 13 hits and 13 RBIs. He should get comfortable in the Springs because it should be his new home. Hopefully manager Jim Tracy gets wise and sends a few others down, too, such as reliever Felipe Paulino (0-3, 6.94 ERA) and second baseman Jose Lopez (.153 BA, .172 OBP).
