Stewart will be a free agent. Image: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Because of that affection, I desperately want to resist the idea that he might be labeled a bust. The news that the Chicago Cubs non-tendered him today doesn’t help. Certainly Stewart will get a look as a free agent because of his intriguing power, but it will be because a team is willing to “take a flier” on him.

Take a flier…that is the kind of language you use when you are talking about a guy who is a bust. You sign successful players to fill holes on your roster, you take fliers on guys you hope work out but whom you do not have to count on.

Stewart’s upper-cut swing has potential to be one of the most beautiful sights in all of baseball. When he connects with one of his extraordinarily high soaring home runs, it not only makes you salivate at the possibilities for Stewart. It reminds you for a moment why you love the game.

I am not exaggerating. The dude’s swing is seriously beautiful. The problem is, he seems to never make adjustments. Ever. It always seemed to baffle him that he could crowd the plate like he always had, try to pull everything like he always had, and yet these professional pitchers had the gall to not throw pitches into his swing. They had the audacity to jam him and bury pitches in the dirt. They dared to make adjustments.

Stewart never adjusted back. He now faces the distinct possibility, even with his extraordinary set of skills that includes athleticism, power, a slick glove and a strong throwing arm, of becoming a big fat bust. Hopefully another team gives him a chance and he can avoid that label…if he hasn’t earned it already.

P.S. – yes, the Rockies definitely won the Tyler Colvin for Ian Stewart trade. Just don’t tell embattled general manager Dan O’Dowd…he might say something crazy, like that he’s “one of the best GM’s in baseball” or something absurd like that.

Our season rests on his shoulders. (Hyoung Chang/ The Denver Post)

According to Armstrong, the Rox are struggling offensively because they have a low team batting average — .257 (9th in NL). Here is what Jimmy had to say about it:

“The story within the story of their 13-5 start: The Rockies haven’t hit much. They’re hitting .257 as a team, leaving them ninth in the 16-team National League going into tonight’s game against the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.

To say they expected more after acquiring the likes of Wigginton and Jose Lopez during the offseason is an understatement.”

There are so many things wrong about this statement. First of all, Wigginton and Lopez are both career .265 hitters. Last year, Lopez hit .239 and Wiggy hit .248. It’s doubtful that they’ll be doing much to boost that team batting average. Secondly, to say that the Rockies “haven’t hit much” is flat out wrong. They’ve hit a ton.

Currently, the Rox are second in the NL in team OBP and doubles while being fourth in slugging and homeruns. Those numbers, particularly OBP, kind of make batting average moot. What’s more, the Rockies rank second in the NL in runs scored.

Stats are great, but sometimes we get carried away, forgetting to pay attention to the end result. Currently, the Rockies rank as the National League’s second best offense. How can a team that hasn’t “hit much” have this kind of production?
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