The story on Trevor Story: Why the Rockies must keep their lone piece of momentum

2 of 3

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 26: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies follows through on his swing after hitting a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on September 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

ESPN’s premium platform published an article recently breaking down the 2022 free-agent class, with a focus on the crop’s loaded middle infield market – a list that includes Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story.

Flash all the way back to Spring Training 2016. Trevor Story, a shortstop drafted in 2011 out of Texas, was in a dogfight to be the Colorado Rockies shortstop. The days of Troy Tulowitzki’s number two flashing across the diamond to take pregame infield practice were over after his trade to the Blue Jays. Christian Adames, Daniel Descalso, and Story were all fighting for a chance to be the Rockies’ everyday shortstop.

Story won the starting job and nearly the National League’s Rookie of the Year award before tearing ligaments in his thumb – leaving the shortstop at 27 home runs and an on-base plus slugging of .909 in 97 games.

Since then, Story’s played in at least 145 games each of the last four seasons, excluding 2020’s shortened slate in which he played in 59 games of the 60-contest slate. In both 2018 and 2019, he brought home a Silver Slugger and finished in the top 12 in both years’ Most Valuable Player races.

Coincidentally, when a player performs at a perennial All-Star level, he also expects and deserves to be paid like it.

In ESPN’s recent piece, Story was projected to garner a 7-year, $189 million deal. It was the lowest projected total compared to Francisco Lindor (9 years, $234 million), Corey Seager (9 years, $234 million), and Carlos Correa (8 years, $200 million).

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 23, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The lower evaluation would benefit the Rockies, if they plan on extending him.

Each of the three infielders projected to make more than Story are younger and have posted a higher career Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

The projection’s good news comes in the low figure in both years and monetary value of Story’s deal – at least where the Rockies are concerned. Nolan Arenado signed an 8-year, $260 million deal before the 2019 season, leaving the club with a lofty total on their books already. Between the two, if the projections hold, the Rockies would be paying Arenado and Story a combined $62 million each year.

Last year, the Rockies’ payroll settled at a mere $67 million due to prorated salaries and a shortened season. In 2019, they finished at $157 million – good for 11th in the majors. Each year, owner Dick Monfort has long expressed an interest to increase the payroll incrementally.

If the team skips payroll growth in 2021, courtesy of a pandemic which sapped several teams of revenue, then the 2022 payroll figures to be around $180-190 million. For conservative purposes, we’ll use the lower total.

At $180 million, $62 million being paid to Arenado and Story would leave the team with roughly $118 million to spare. Add in Charlie Blackmon’s player option at $21 million and German Marquez’ $15 million from his recent extension and you’re at $82 million.

David Dahl and Kyle Freeland’s second-to-last year of arbitration will also be in effect. The pair figures to settle around $25-30 million combined with a good 2021 season.

The Rockies are in a spot clubs would usually love: A pair of stars, both in their primes, willing to play for a team who has failed to live up to expectations in either of the last two campaigns.

They should love it too.

The only momentum, offensively, for the Rockies lies among three players.

More from Rox Pile

While Bud Black may tell you momentum is merely a day-to-day mirage, the three hitters shouldering his lineup’s load would likely disagree: Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, and Charlie Blackmon

Marquez’s recent performances landed him a 5-year, $43 million extension. His breakthrough has even given the staff’s makeup a lift with Freeland, Jon Gray, and Antonio Senzatela all showing signs of growth. Story does the same for the batting order.

Through free agency, Ian Desmond, Daniel Murphy, and DJ LeMahieu have all shown evidence of General Manager Jeff Bridich’s ineptitude. Wade Davis, Jake McGee, and Bryan Shaw’s signings all reveal the same.

The Rockies’ farm system also lacks depth from front office woes.

All the club has left is a batch of young, impactful players and enough to fill a roster around them. That group also represents their only chance of avoiding a full-scale rebuild – costs be damned.

A rebuild or a retool represent the only two options left for the Rockies. The club can grant the underlying wishes of Arenado, sending him to a contender and rid themselves of Story before his massive free agency hits and use the pieces they receive to finally start over. They can also mend the relationship with their third baseman and sign Story to a long-term deal.

Next. Are the Rockies looking at Aaron Sanchez?. dark

From recent history, neither path is likely to put the Rockies into a conversation with the league’s elite teams – a place both Arenado and Story desire. Keeping a part of the pair won’t get the club there either. It’s all-in or fold for Bridich and company.

Home / Colorado Rockies News

ESPN’s premium platform published an article recently breaking down the 2022 free-agent class, with a focus on the crop’s loaded middle infield market – a list that includes Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story.

The lower evaluation would benefit the Rockies, if they plan on extending him.

The only momentum, offensively, for the Rockies lies among three players.

More from Rox Pile

Schedule