A Trevor Story Trade: Analyzing Potential Suitors for Rockies Shortstop Trevor Story
A Trevor Story trade? The Colorado Rockies appear to be entering a rebuild, as the sudden news of five-time all-star third baseman, Nolan Arenado, being traded to St. Louis has all but assured that Colorado will soon deal their emerging young shortstop Trevor Story.
Arenado’s now former batterymate, Story, the 28 year old, slashed .289/.355/.519 in what was an abbreviated 2020 campaign, building upon two elite seasons in the years prior.
There will surely be a robust trading market for Story, as current general manager, Jeff Bridich, should find a number of suitors for the shortstop so long as they make him available in trade talks.
It is a shame the Rockies weren’t able to capitalize on what was an explosive offense the last couple seasons, but pitching has derailed this ball club for what feels like forever now. Their rotation was one of the worst in baseball once again in 2020, as they had the second-worst team ERA in MLB.
Now that Colorado’s playoff window is all but closed, we’ll take a look at the teams who would make the most sense for Story.
New York Yankees
The biggest market in baseball, the Yankees make a lot of sense for Story. They have both the need and trade pieces to make it work, and should be aggressive in their pursuit.
The trade would push current shortstop Gleyber Torres to second base — his more natural position — and would help bolster their infield defense tremendously. With Torres and Story up the middle, and DJ LeMahieu at third, New York would boast one of the best infields in all of baseball.
Moreover, the acquisition would give the Bronx Bombers another dependable bat at the top of the lineup, which would nicely compliment their big homerun hitters who tend to strike out a lot (Judge, Stanton, Hicks). If I had to guess, he would likely bat 2nd behind LeMahieu, and would help set the table for this Yankees offense. This shouldn’t overlook the fact Story can hit for some serious power too, as he logged a grand total of 72 home runs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
New York has plenty of prospects in the farm system to make this trade work, in addition to a number of major league caliber players currently on the roster like Miguel Andujar or Clint Frazier, both of whom have struggled in the field during their young careers.
Expect general manager Brian Cashman to be uber aggressive in landing the all-star shortstop.
Los Angeles Angels
Another big market team looking to make a splash this offseason, the Los Angeles Angels should make a run for Story so long as they’re willing to spend the money.
Now that Andrelton Simmons is gone (now in Minnesota), the Halos have a huge hole in the middle of their infield. Story would make a ton of sense for Joe Maddon’s ball club, as they have been perennial underachievers for what feels like forever now.
Story would give the Angels another elite bat to go along with Mike Trout and newly acquired Anthony Rendon, as that would likely be the best top of the lineup in baseball.
It is unclear what the Angels cap situation looks like at the moment, as they are now rumored to be out on free agent SP Trevor Bauer, but from a pure baseball perspective this would be a match made in heaven.
Los Angeles’s farm system is nothing to write home about, but they could be willing to part ways with OF Brandon Marsh, who is #73 on MLB’s top 100 prospects list.
That would be a good start.
Cincinnati Reds
A more under the radar destination could reside in Cincinnati, where the Reds could be looking to swing a trade for a proven offensive commodity.
The Reds lineup plagued them in what was a shortened 2020 season, as they were dead last in MLB in Batting Average (.212). Story, a career .277 hitter, would slide in nicely at shortstop.
Cincinnati doesn’t currently have many options at short on the roster, and should be significant players in the Story sweepstakes.
Keep an eye out for the Big Red Machine.
