Colorado Rockies acquire Drew Stubbs, Franklin Morales

August 20, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Drew Stubbs (11) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the fourteenth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies were busy on a Wednesday afternoon after making a lot of moves to shape up the team during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. During the meetings, the Rockies would sign relief pitcher Boone Logan to a 3-year deal worth roughly $16.5 million. He will provide flexibility in the pen with another lefty in Rex Brothers. Colorado would also make a trade sending Drew Pomeranz along with minor league pitcher Chris Jensen to the Oakland Athletics for Brett Anderson, providing a rotation that can be real good when healthy. Here’s what the rotation should look like: 1.) Jorge De La Rosa, 2.) Jhoulys Chacin, 3.) Brett Anderson, 4.) Tyler Chatwood, 5.) Juan Nicasio. The Rockies would also finalize a deal with first baseman Justin Morneau, signing him to a 2-year deal worth $13-million dollars to fill the need at first.

Back to the moves from Wednesday afternoon as the Rockies would send LHP Josh Outman to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was a highly regarded prospect out of the University of Texas as the outfielder would be selected 8th overall in the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He has never hit for a high average but he does have some pop in his bat. He has hit for over 69 home runs in his five-year stint with the Reds and Indians, but strike-outs have been an issue. Stubbs would strike out 205 times in 604 at-bats during the 2011 regular season with the Reds, which would be the most in the National League. Stubbs can play all three outfield spots, as he could play right field when Michael Cuddyer plays first, or play his natural position in center when Carlos Gonzalez gets a day off.

Oct 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Franklin Morales (56) throws Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning in game four of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockies would also part ways with utility man Jonathan Herrera by shipping the infielder to the Boston Red Sox for former Rockie Franklin Morales and minor-league pitcher Chris Martin. Morales was apart of the 2007 World Series bound Rockies along with veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Morales would pitch well for the Rockies that season, going 3-2 in eight starts with a 3.43 ERA. Since then, Morales has been utilized in a reliever role going 2-2 last season with the Boston Red Sox with a 4.62 ERA. However, he was limited to 20 games last season due to injury. Chris Martin, 27 on the other hand went 3-3 for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket finishing with a 3.18 ERA in 51.0 innings of work.

The trade of Herrera leaves the door open for Josh Rutledge to assume the utility role and infielder converted to outfielder Charlie Culberson to move back into the infield to fight for the utility spot. Morales and Logan give the Rockies an upgraded bullpen in which they can play situations with three lefties in pen, including Brothers.