Rockies sign Hernadez, trade Ianetta

[love_that_reefer]

The Rockies are close to signing Ramon Hernandez to a two-year deal and trading Chris Iannetta to the Angels, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Tyler Chatwood should be going from the Angels to the Rockies in the deal, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Teams are now examining medicals.

Though Hernandez is a Type A free agent, the Rockies won't surrender a draft pick to sign him, since he's a modified free agent under baseball's new collective bargaining agreement. The Reds will obtain a compensatory pick for losing Hernandez, however.

Assuming the deal goes through, it will be Dipoto's first trade as the Angels' GM. It's worth noting that he's making the move with Dan O'Dowd, who was Dipoto's GM at the end of his playing career in Colorado. Dipoto made other significant trades as Arizona's interim GM in the summer of 2010.

Big moves from the Rockies but not sure if they were the best ones. If it is indeed Chatwood going to the Rockies, he had almost as many walks as strikeouts (71 to 74) in 145 IP in his rookie season. Not exactly blowing your hair back. Sure he's only 21 but he has had control problems all through the minors. Ianetta should fill the gaping hole at the catcher spot for the Angels. He can hit for power but more importantly draw a walk, something they desperately needed last year. Hernandez can provide just as much offense as Ianetta and give Helton the day off at 1B every now and then. The Angels were probably better off just signing Hernandez themselves.

[Kingdom]

They were better off just keeping Napoli........ Oh! Bet they haven't heard that one before.

At this point, a cardboard cut out with a catching mitt would be an upgrade over Jeff Mathis. If Iannetta could just make more frequent contact, he'd be a pretty solid hitter.

[love_that_reefer]

$6.25 million for Hernandez and it was Chatwood that was traded.

[love_that_reefer]

Wow! Hernandez has really sucked ass to the tune of .196/.237/.355

[zodious]

Glad the reds got that 1st round compensation for him!