Drew Stubbs had plenty of time to contemplate his future as he drove his truck across Texas to visit his parents for Christmas. He figured the drive from his home in Austin to the northeast corner of the state would take about eight hours.

Stubbs had a lot to think about. Eight days ago, he was traded to the Rockies from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for left-handed reliever Josh Outman.

“This whole offseason, I thought there was a decent chance I would be moved,” he said. “When they traded Dexter Fowler, I thought there was a chance. I thought Colorado would be a place that would suit my game very well.”

Well enough for Stubbs to become the Rockies’ new starting center fielder? Could he become a leadoff man? Those are questions open for debate.

Stubbs has speed, a dependable glove and the versatility to play any outfield spot. As it stands, he projects as Colorado’s fourth outfielder, and assistant general manager Bill Geivett reiterated this week that the plan is for all-star Carlos Gonzalez, a three-time gold glove winner, to move from left to center.

But shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has known Stubbs for nearly a decade, offers a different blueprint.

“I have high hopes for Drew,” said Tulowitzki, who befriended Stubbs when they were teammates on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2004. “For me, he’s got to come to our team and try to be the starting center fielder. That’s my opinion.

“I know they have talked about CarGo being our center fielder, but for me, I think we are a better team if Drew can grab that position and run with it. That way, we can leave Carlos in left.”

While Geivett isn’t projecting Stubbs as an everyday player, he touts Stubbs as a valuable addition.

“Drew is a player we’ve had interest in before. He is a tremendous defender and a right-handed bat with some power,” Geivett said. “He definitely fits what we want to do, and he improves our talent level. We think he’ll make an impact.”

There are reasons, of course, the Indians thought Stubbs was expendable. Stubbs, the eighth pick of the first round in the 2006 draft, came to Cleveland in last December’s trade with Cincinnati for Shin-Soo Choo. Stubbs batted just .233 with 10 homers and 17 steals in 146 games. He fell into a deep slump late in the season, batting just .188 after Aug. 12. The Indians valued Stubbs, especially for his versatility and speed, but their signing of free agent David Murphy to a two-year, $12 million contract made him available.

“Actually, the last two years have been a little subpar for me offensively,” admitted Stubbs, who hit .213 with 14 homers for the Reds in 2012. “I have been a player that when times have gone well, they have gone really well, and when they go bad, they go really bad. I want to be more even-keeled and even things out. I want to be a more consistent offensive player.”

Stubbs stole 40 bases for Cincinnati in 2011, but his inability to consistently get on base has limited his offensive impact. His on-base percentage was a meager .277 in 2012 and .305 in 2013.

“Drew would be the first one to tell you that he needs to make adjustments,” said Tulowitzki, who said he’s planning to invite Stubbs to his offseason home in Las Vegas before spring training to work in the batting cages and get in shape. “Drew needs to cut down on his strikeouts and put the ball in play a little bit more in order to make his speed work.

“I think he would be the first one to tell you that he needs to take the next step. If he can, he will be a real find. If he can do that, he can match up with any center fielder in the league because of that speed.”

Manager Walt Weiss phoned Stubbs the night after the trade, telling Stubbs that he wants hard-nosed, team-oriented players. Tulowitzki says Stubbs fit the profile.

“When people ask you about new players, you always say, ‘Oh, yeah, he’ll be a nice addition.’ But for Drew, it’s really true,” Tulowitzki said. “Having played with him before, I have seen the behind-the-scenes stuff, I’ve seen the work ethic and I’ve seen how he wants to get better. I have seen all of those intangibles.”

Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp

Outfield in motion

The trade of center fielder Dexter Fowler to the Houston Astros altered the Rockies’ outfield. A closer look at the players who will fill the positions:

Carlos Gonzalez: Although CarGo has found a sweet home in left, becoming an all-star playing the position, initial plans are to move him to center field. He has played there before, and played well, but there are concerns about how roaming Coors Field’s vast expanses could wear him down.

Michael Cuddyer: The reigning National League batting champion will be the starting right fielder. He will still play first base from time to time, filling in for newcomer and former Minnesota Twins teammate Justin Morneau.

Drew Stubbs: Acquired from Cleveland in a trade for reliever Josh Outman, Stubbs has great speed and a good glove, but he must become much more consistent on offense to become an everyday center fielder.

Charlie Blackmon: He has hit .291 in parts of three big-league seasons, but his major-league path has always been blocked by a full outfield or injuries. He’ll make a run at the starting left-field job, but he’s also valuable off the bench.

Corey Dickerson: The 2013 rookie was impressive at the plate, hitting .263 with 23 extra-base hits after being called up in June. As an outfielder, he remains a work in progress, but manager Walt Weiss loves his grit and athleticism.

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post