For selfish reasons, I hope Trevor Story remains the Rockies’ shortstop for years to come.
Owner Dick Monfort, I’m sure, would like that, too. Whether he’s able to make that a reality remains an enormous question mark hovering over the franchise.
Story is not only a superb ballplayer — who continues to get better — he’s one of the most exciting players in the game. He’s the kind of player fans pay to see and reporters love to write about.
He mashes majestic homers: his 505-foot blast at Coors Field in 2018 is “officially” the longest home run in the ballpark’s history. He steals bases: he led the National League with 15 in the truncated 2020 season and is only the second shortstop in big-league history with multiple seasons of 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases. The other is Alex Rodriguez.
Story doesn’t have a Gold Glove yet, but I predict he’s going to have a few to put in his trophy case. His ability to go to his left, toward the second-base bag, to scoop the ball is one of the prettiest plays in baseball.
And I keep going back to what Cory Sullivan told me last winter. The former Rockies outfielder, who’s now a TV analyst for AT&T SportsNet, said: “Trevor is one of the few elite players who have the leadership gene in him. When it does come out, he is going to be unstoppable. Typically, leaders are role players, but with Trevor, it’s screaming to come out.”
But Story and the Rockies have reached a critical crossroads and I’m increasingly skeptical the Rockies can hold onto him. Story, who’ll make $18.5 million this season, is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season. He’d be part of a shortstop free agent class that could include Francisco Lindor (unless he signs a long-term deal with the Mets), Javier Báez, Carlos Correa and Corey Seager. That’s a lot of talent that will demand a lot of bucks.
The Rockies, we’ve been told, are facing a reduced payroll in 2021. This offseason is not, in the words of general manager Jeff Bridich, “business as usual.”
So what are the factors that will ultimately play into Story’s future?
If a deal can’t be reached this offseason, a potential multi-year contract could be dependent on Colorado’s showing on the field. If the Rockies flop in the first half of 2021, Story becomes a valuable trade chip at the deadline. If the Rockies surprise us and become a contender, perhaps the two sides can come together.
Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado has been very vocal about his desire to play for a winner. I believe that a competitive fire burns just as hot in Story, he just doesn’t talk about it as much as Arenado. If Story doesn’t honestly believe the Rockies are going to turn things around and compete in the National League West over the next few years, I believe that will dissuade him from staying in Colorado.
And here’s another, critical factor to consider: Arenado’s rocky relationship with Bridich.
Arenado and Story might not be best friends, but they are close teammates and they share a passion for the game. The two talk to each other — a lot. Could Arenado’s hard feelings toward the Rockies’ front office influence Story? That’s certainly possible.
The irony here is that Arenado’s big contract (six years remaining at $199 million) could negate any chance Colorado signs Story to a long-term deal. If the Rockies manage to swing a trade for Arenado, that might free up money for Story.
Together, Arenado and Story form the most entertaining third base/shortstop tandem in baseball. It’s hard to conjure up a way they’ll stay together beyond 2021. Such is the current state of Rockies baseball.
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January 16, 2021 at 01:03AM
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Saunders: Trevor Story and Rockies heading toward critical crossroad - The Denver Post
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