Memo to anyone who thinks Ian Stewart needs a change of scenery: He likes the view right here in Colorado.
“The Rockies are where I want to be,” Stewart said. “Honestly, I don’t need a change of scenery. . . . There’s definitely no part of me that thinks I need a change of scenery to get going.”
Stewart could be nontendered, which would make him a free agent, but he wants to work things out so he can stay with the Rockies in 2012. He’s eligible for arbitration, so the most the club could cut him would be 20 percent from the $2,287,500 he made this season.
“Obviously, I won’t be making as much as I did last year,” he said. “As far as taking a pay cut, that’s just the rules of the matter. It’s not something I could really argue against. I hit .150 in the big leagues.”
Stewart can’t swing a bat at the moment because of nerve damage in his left wrist, but he will report Sept. 27 to the Rockies’ instructional program in Scottsdale, Ariz. He also plans to play winter ball in Hermosillo, Mexico, where he owns a home.
Where it all leads is anyone’s guess after a year in which Stewart hit .156 with no home runs and six RBIs in 122 at-bats. He suffered a knee sprain in the first inning of the Rockies’ first Cactus League game.
How confident is Stewart that he will be back in 2012?
“They’ve made really no indication of the future other than they want me ready for spring training,” Stewart said. “Obviously, they’re sending me to the Instructional League to get healthy and they’re wanting me to play winter ball. So I take that as, ‘Hey, get your butt ready for next year.’ “
For all his struggles, Stewart is 26 and ranks among baseball’s best defensive third basemen. He’s also a left-handed hitter with power. To wit: He hit 43 homers from 2009-10 and went into 2011 with a home run every 20.7 at-bats.
“In my opinion, the Rockies’ best option at third base is right here in their own organization with me,” he said. “I feel like, defensively and offensively, if they’re looking for all those things, all they’ve got to do is put ‘Stewart’ in the lineup somewhere.
“A side of me feels bad that I couldn’t help contribute this year. I take some responsibility for the way the team has played. I feel when I’m not out there, they’re missing a core guy who’s done well for them in the past.”
