Read More: Chris Iannetta (C – COL), Tyler Chatwood (P – ANA), Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies

We had already received word that the Los Angeles Angels might be interested in Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, and now Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies and Angels have spoken regarding the catcher. Renck also adds that the Rockies asked the Angels about starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood, indicating that they may be seeking young, MLB-ready pitching in exchange for Iannetta.

Chatwood, 22 in December, was considered one of the Angels’ top prospects before the 2011 season, and he ended up making 25 starts for LA. His performance wasn’t great, though, as he posted a 4.75 ERA over 142 innings with defense-independent statistics like FIP and SIERA closer to 5. His fastball averaged 93 MPH, but he really struggled with missing bats and ended up striking out only 74 guys compared to doling out 71 walks. That strikeout-to-walk ratio was actually the worst among all MLB pitchers with over 140 innings thrown in 2011.

But even with those struggles, Chatwood is an intriguing young pitcher. He’s avoided injuries, pitching 160 innings in 2011 on the heels of pitching 155 innings in 2010. He still throws quite hard, as only 17 starters threw harder on average than him last season. And he’s still going to pitch the entire 2012 season at the tender age of 22, meaning that he could still show some serious improvement over the next couple years.

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How many Cubs enthusiasts envisioned Colorado Rockies infielder Ian Stewart(notes) as one of the first free agents that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would pursue?

That’s the rumor coming out of Denver, Colorado. The Cubs are reportedly interested in a potential trade for Stewart. Stewart is a utility infielder whose primary positions are second baseman and third baseman. The Cubs are currently looking for a new third baseman because Aramis Ramirez(notes) isn’t expected to re-sign unless he’s rewarded with a contract of at least three years.

The Rockies selected the left-handed hitting Stewart with the 10^th-overall pick in the 2003 MLB draft. Stewart made his MLB debut in 2007. His best season occurred in 2009 when he had 25 home runs and 70 RBI. In five seasons, Stewart has some unspectacular career numbers that include a .236 batting average, .323 on-base percentage (OBP), 54 home runs and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 396-to-146 in 1,242 at-bats.

Stewart was sent down to Triple-A in 2011 during a season where he had a .156 batting average and no home runs in 122 at-bats. Those numbers are even more concerning when one considers that he’s spent his entire career at Coors Field. Coors Field is arguably MLB’s most-favorable park for hitters. Stewart only had a .929 fielding percentage in 2011.

Stewart hasn’t produced much with runners-in-scoring-position (RISP). 30 of his 54 career home runs have occurred with the bases empty. He has a career batting average of .209 with RISP and two outs. He’s been used mostly as a No. 6 hitter and No. 7 hitter in his five years.

Stewart hasn’t had incredible success while playing at Wrigley Field. He’s hit .261 with no home runs in 23 at-bats at Wrigley Field. 11 of his 23 at-bats resulted in strikeouts. Only three of those hits resulted in more than a single.

The easiest way that I could put it is that I’d consider Stewart as a lesser-version of Jeff Baker(notes). Baker was also a utility infielder for the Rockies before he joined the Cubs in 2009. Baker had some pop and versatility that makes him a decent option coming off the bench.

I’d be surprised if the Cubs made a move for Stewart. Stewart’s production has fallen off in each season since 2009. His numbers are quite unimpressive for playing in Coors Field. He also hasn’t excelled when playing in Wrigley Field. The Cubs would have to surrender prospects if they traded for Stewart. Guys like Stewart are like a dime-a-dozen in free agency.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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As NBA reporters go, it’s hard to beat Yahoo! Sports’ combination of Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears. Unless you’re Dexter Fowler(notes), outfielder for the Colorado Rockies. He managed to beat every NBA reporter on the planet when it came to announcing the end of the NBA lockout.

Reports from standard sources started coming in late Friday night and early Saturday morning that the five-month-old lockout was ending and opening day would be Dec. 25. But if you follow Fowler on Twitter, NBA Christmas really came Wednesday when he told the world:

Word on these streets is the NBA is BACK!!

Just to be clear, Fowler wasn’t just pie-in-the-sky hoping like most NBA fans. He had hard news that was just begging to be confirmed. Jason Heyward(notes) of the Atlanta Braves asked for a clarification:

“@JasonHeyward: word? RT @DFowler24: Word on these streets is the NBA is BACK!!”<-- That's what I'm hearin!

Word? Word. That’s what he’s hearing. And he was right. He’s a regular Carnac, this guy.

Fowler batted .266/.366/.432 for the Rockies in 2011, and at 25 years old offers the promise of more on the baseball field. But if that doesn’t work out, he could always transition into NBA reporting. He must have good sources. (Hmm, Denver … Kiki Vandeweghe? Fat Lever? Blair Ramussen?)

In a previous life, Fowler was recruited by Miami (the U., not the MAC) and by Harvard (the actual Harvard) to play basketball. He was, as the kids say, a baller. Fortunately for us because we love baseball more, he turned down hoops and is playing in the major leagues. But he’ll always have a piece of his heart on the hardwood. And for that, NBA/Rockies fans on Twitter can be grateful.

Big BLS h/t: Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave — and get to know The Stew on Facebook.

Related: Dexter Fowler, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Fashion Ump, Vintage Tube, BallMedia, Odd Plays, 2011 Clinchers

As NBA reporters go, it’s hard to beat Yahoo! Sports’ combination of Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears. Unless you’re Dexter Fowler(notes), outfielder for the Colorado Rockies. He managed to beat every NBA reporter on the planet when it came to announcing the end of the NBA lockout.

Reports from standard sources started coming in late Friday night and early Saturday morning that the five-month-old lockout was ending and opening day would be Dec. 25. But if you follow Fowler on Twitter, NBA Christmas really came Wednesday when he told the world:

Word on these streets is the NBA is BACK!!

Just to be clear, Fowler wasn’t just pie-in-the-sky hoping like most NBA fans. He had hard news that was just begging to be confirmed. Jason Heyward(notes) of the Atlanta Braves asked for a clarification:

“@JasonHeyward: word? RT @DFowler24: Word on these streets is the NBA is BACK!!”<-- That's what I'm hearin!

Word? Word. That’s what he’s hearing. And he was right. He’s a regular Carnac, this guy.

Fowler batted .266/.366/.432 for the Rockies in 2011, and at 25 years old offers the promise of more on the baseball field. But if that doesn’t work out, he could always transition into NBA reporting. He must have good sources. (Hmm, Denver … Kiki Vandeweghe? Fat Lever? Blair Ramussen?)

In a previous life, Fowler was recruited by Miami (the U., not the MAC) and by Harvard (the actual Harvard) to play basketball. He was, as the kids say, a baller. Fortunately for us because we love baseball more, he turned down hoops and is playing in the major leagues. But he’ll always have a piece of his heart on the hardwood. And for that, NBA/Rockies fans on Twitter can be grateful.

Big BLS h/t: Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave — and get to know The Stew on Facebook.

Related: Dexter Fowler, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Fashion Ump, Vintage Tube, BallMedia, Odd Plays, 2011 Clinchers

The Colorado Rockies would be up for trading closer Huston Street(notes) this offseason and plenty of teams are rumored to be interested in snagging the 28-year-old with 178 career saves.

SI.com has it that the Boston Red Sox (now that Jonathan Papelbon(notes) has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies), Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and, of course, the rebranding Miami Marlins are all interested in snagging Street. After all, the guy is scheduled to make $7.5 million next season, a much cheaper alternative than paying out bigger bucks to a free agent.

Street, the 2005 American League rookie of the year with the Oakland Athletics, was 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 62 games for the Rockies in 2011, converting 29 of his 33 chances for a save.

Let the rumors come to you. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: SI.com

Related: Huston Street, Jonathan Papelbon, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays