Ian Stewart signs a one-year deal with Colorado Rockies
Major League Baseball is entering 2011 with a new season and it looks like the competition is going to be tough as ball clubs have been preparing for the new challenge for several months. The offseason period has helped management
solve issues prevailing at the club, as the free agency has provided replacements and extra cover in weak positions in the field.
The Colorado Rockies recently hit the headlines when they signed their arbitration-eligible player, Ian Stewart. The third baseman was fighting with the side for a salary raise and today, he has got the deal in his favour. The
club was offering the player 2.15 million dollars, but the hard-hitter was not budging from a 2.6 million dollars demand.
The two parties are finally back to playing terms again, following a mutually agreed 2.2875 million dollars fee. The player is content with the compromise, as he will avail $62,500 if he reaches 600 plate appearances during the
season.
Stewart is working hard in Asheville with hitting coach Carney Lansford and it seems he will be finding his form back again.
"The first and really the only thing he talked with me about when he came in was just getting back to hitting the ball the other way," Stewart said. "He brought video with him from 2007. When I had a good year there and I hit for
a pretty good average in the Springs, I was hitting the ball the other way. He said pretty much since I've been in the big leagues, that's one of the things that's kind of haunted me - I've gotten pull-conscious and haven't used the whole field like I did
in the Minor Leagues. So he wanted me to back off the plate and really work on hitting the ball the other way and getting the confidence back - that I can hit the ball that way."
The third baseman is looking for a better start in the coming season and he is looking to improve his batting average which plunged to .256 in 2010.
"I was a little disappointed that after I came back after those five weeks I got one hit, but I feel I've improved every year," Stewart said. "I feel like I need to continue to improve. Maybe career-wise, for me with the Rockies,
maybe I need to drastically improve. But I feel good where I'm at and hopefully I can make that happen."
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