Rockies, Ian Stewart Avoid Arbitration

FRIDAY: Stewart will earn $2.22875MM, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). That's below the $2.375MM midpoint, closer to the Rockies' submission. MLBTR has learned that if Stewart stays healthy and reaches his incentives next season he will earn $2.35MM. 

THURSDAY: The Rockies have avoided arbitration with third baseman Ian Stewart, MLBTR has learned.  With salary submissions of $2.6MM and $2.15MM, the sides had been $450K apart on the Super Two player's first arbitration year.  Stewart's settlement amount is not yet known, but his agreement means the Rockies have taken care of all their arbitration eligible players according to our Arb Tracker.

Stewart, 26 in April, hit .256/.338/.443 in 441 plate appearances in 2010.  He projects as the Rockies' starting third baseman once again, though they've got backup options in Jose Lopez, Ty Wigginton, and Joe Crede.