Colorado Rockies: Examining a Trevor Story trade proposal with the Yankees

One team that the Colorado Rockies could partner with for a Trevor Story trade is the New York Yankees.

Among other rumors and wishes from New York Yankees fans on social media, Empire Sports Media recently suggested that the Colorado Rockies and New York Yankees could be a trade match for Rockies shortstop Trevor Story this offseason.

If a trade were to happen (and as with any trade, hypothetical proposal, or rumor, it is unlikely), the Yankees would be a team that would be a fit for Story for a few reasons. If the Yankees acquired Story, he would essentially replace his former teammate DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu and the Yankees are reportedly about $25 million apart in contractual talks. While it’s not confirmed, it is likely that far apart because LeMahieu wants a five-year contract and the Yankees are offering four years.

If the Yankees decide to not-resign LeMahieu (or even if they want to use him at another position like they occasionally have the past two seasons), Story is an excellent option to replace him. For the Yankees, Gleyber Torres would move to second base.

The return for proposal mentioned would be third baseman Miguel Andujar and the Yankees #2 prospect RHP Clarke Schmidt (MLB.com #87 overall) or Andujar and Yankees #5 prospect RHP Luis Gil along with Yankees #9 prospect RHP Yoendrys Gomez. Schmidt has made his MLB debut as he made three MLB appearances but had there been a minor league season in 2020, he likely would have been in either Double- or Triple-A. After all, in 2019, he only made three appearances (all starts) in Double-A. Gil and Gomez have both never pitched above A-ball but both are on the Yankees 40-man roster.

However, considering how thin the Rockies pitching depth is, any of the three would likely be either in Triple-A Albuquerque or even in the majors in 2021 if they were acquired.

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At least at the major league level, the centerpiece would be Andujar. In theory, he would be Nolan Arenado‘s replacement at third if he himself is traded. The Rockies do desperately need to add to their offense as currently, it is arguably the worst that it has ever been in their, albeit, short franchise history. While Andujar can hit, there are two massive issues that would simply be a deal-breaker: he’s always injured and his defense is terrible.

Andujar has played a total of 33 games in the last two seasons and, mind you, he did not opt-out in 2020. 33 games in two seasons. That’s due to needing shoulder and labrum surgery but also, when he was healthy in 2020, he wasn’t in the same zip code as he was in 2018, his rookie campaign.

In 2018, he came second in AL Rookie of the Year voting when he hit .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs, 92 RBI, and an OPS+ of 130. In 2019 (while playing injured), his OPS+ was -26. In 2020, it was 74. Perhaps he still wasn’t healthy in 2020 but the Rockies already cut an All-Star caliber player that couldn’t stay healthy a few weeks ago in David Dahl. Why would they trade their, arguably, best player for another?

Also, when he was healthy, he was one of, if not, the worst defenders in baseball. He had -21 DRS in 149 games. So the Rockies are going to go from the best defender in the sport to one of the worst at third base? I doubt it.

Perhaps, Andujar would DH if it remains in the NL or he could play a different position as the Yankees have been teaching him left field but, frankly, for the Rockies to trade Story, they will need more quality and quantity than that proposal. It’s a good start to a trade but it should not be the finished trade and if the Yankees aren’t willing to offer more, then the Rockies should either look to other teams or keep Story to start the season.