Colorado Rockies rumors: Cincinnati Reds asking about Trevor Story?

The Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds completed a trade just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Could another one with much larger implications be brewing behind the scenes?

Jon Morosi of MLB.com has tweeted that the Reds are looking to acquire a starting shortstop and are looking at “multiple options” to complete that task. Among them, according to Morosi, is figuring out if a trade for Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop Trevor Story might be a possibility.

Story is not the only shortstop linked to the Reds in Morosi’s tweet as he also mentions Francisco Lindor as a trade possibility, as well as Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien, and Andrelton Simmons as free agent possibilities.

Story is a two-time All-Star and has established himself as one of the premier shortstops in Major League Baseball today, both on offense and defense. Even in a pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the 27-year-old Story showed his offensive prowess. He was the only MLB player to have three different hitting streaks of at least nine games during the 60-game season. Story was also among the best in the National League in several categories, including triples (four, tied for first), hits (68, tied for fourth), total bases (122, eighth), extra-base hits (28, tied for eighth), and multi-hit games (19, tied for sixth).

Story also takes the field in Denver with Nolan Arenado, making what many consider to be the best left side of the infield in baseball today. However, the Rockies’ dynamic duo also share another trait: Both might not be with the Rockies after the 2021 season.

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Arenado has a much-discussed opt-out clause in his contract following the season and there are plenty of rumors floating around that he may not even be with the Rockies that long. Story, meanwhile, agreed to a two-year, $27.5 million contract in January that will keep him in a Colorado uniform through the 2021 season … unless he is traded first.

The Reds used Freddy Galvis and Jose Garcia primarily at shortstop last season. Galvis was granted free agency in October while Garcia made his Major League debut in August and received 67 at-bats, hitting just. 194.

If the Rockies were to trade Story, the club would certainly expect Major League talent in return. One of the comments around Arenado trade rumors is that the high asking price from the Rockies has shut down many talks before they went too far. The same could be true with any discussions involving Story as a lofty price will be required.

There is no confirmed indication that the Rockies are actively shopping Arenado or Story. However, knowing their contract situations and that Colorado owner Dick Monfort has hinted at budget constraints amidst baseball’s uncertain economic environment, Story and Arenado will both draw plenty of headlines and trade rumors throughout the offseason.

If the Rockies and Reds were to pull off a trade, it would follow one the teams collaborated on in late November that sent MLB pitcher Jeff Hoffman and pitching prospect Case Williams from Colorado to the Reds in exchange for MLB pitcher Robert Stephenson and outfield prospect Jameson Hannah. We talked about Stephenson and his impact on the Rockies in 2021 here.