The Colorado Rockies and Chris Iannetta Agree to Three-Year Deal
The Rockies, today, locked up 26-year-old catcher Chris Iannetta for three more years. The Rockies signed Iannetta to a three-year, $8.3 million contract with a $5 million club option for 2013.
The contract cancels out Iannettaโs arbitration years and as Tony Renck of the Denver Post points out, it gives the Rockies cost certainty going forward.
Now the question I have isโdid the Rockies just sign the next Ben Petrick or a guy who could be one of the best offensive catchers in the game?
For those of you who donโt remember, Petrick was supposed to be the Rockiesโ catcher of the future in the late-90โs/early-2000โs. In 2000, Petrick hit .322 in 52 games and everyone thoughtโincluding myselfโthat Petrick would be the next big Rockiesโ slugger.
Petrick then hit .238 in 2001 and .211 in 2002 and by 2004 he was out of baseball. Petrick went from young stud to bust rather quickly.
Iannetta looks to be on the same path as Petrick. In 2008, Iannetta looked like he was going to be a star. He hit 18 home runs and had a .895 OPS in 104 games.
Iannetta was supposed to take his game to the next level in 2009, but things didnโt work out that way. Iannetta slumped to a .228 average and his OPS dropped 91 points to .804.
The Rockies are probably wondering if the former Tar Heel is Petrick Part Two?
I donโt think he is. I think Iannetta will have a bounce back 2010 seasonโregardless if the Rockies bring back Yorvit Torreabla or bring in Miguel Olivo.
I really believe Iannetta will have a season more like his 2008 season than his 2009 season. If Iannetta hits the way he is capable of, the Rockies offense will go to the next level in 2010.
You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg
.jpg?w=600 "Swift-Kelce Marriage Rumors")
