In need of a splurge, Rockies go on a diet

The Colorado Rockies have yet to make the big splash they need — actually two big splashes, a veteran innings-eating starting pitcher and an impact hitter — but they have been active in dumping some of their overpriced crap in the past few days. The moves:

Chris Iannetta out, Ramon Hernandez in: Whatever Iannetta's future, he hadn't won over manager Jim Tracy and the Rockies have been a better team over the past few years with Yorvit Torrealba and Miguel Olivo behind the plate. The Rockies get a veteran, power-hitting catcher who pairs better with Wilin Rosario and pick up a young starting pitcher with front-of-the-rotation potential for the same price as they were going to pay Iannetta. Not a franchise-altering move, but a solid one.

Kevin Slowey in: The Rockies have long been rumored to be interested in the right-handed starter, and they finally picked up him for a minor-leaguer reliever. Slowey's not going to make much of a difference, but he's an extra arm who potentially frees up the team to trade the frustrating Jason Hammel.

Huston Street out: It seems like in a market where Jonathan Papelbon is getting eight figures, that even despite the glut of closers the Rockies could have found someone to take Street, an established, market-value closer, and get something in return. But the Rockies received only a player to be named later, a minor-leaguer unlikely to make any difference. The Padres pick up most of Street's salary, which could be used elsewhere. If the Rockies use the money to sign Michael Cuddyer, then dumping Street for nothing is fine, but if the Rockies don't use that money it's a pointless move.

Ian Stewart out, Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu in: Stewart for Colvin is a solid swap of players who need a change of scenery. Both players were first-round draft picks who had decent years in the majors and then completely fell apart last year. The bonus to the deal might be LeMahieu — if he turns into an above-average, No.2 hitter at second base, it's a good deal for the Rockies who had to kick in Casey Weathers —not much of a loss at this point. Seems like the Colvin move could be a prelude to something else as the team doesn't really need Seth Smith, Charlie Blackmon, Colvin and Tim Wheeler.