Colorado Rockies rumors: Could the Minnesota Twins be a trade partner?

If the Colorado Rockies decide to trade All-Star shortstop Trevor Story, could the Minnesota Twins be a potential destination?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic in this article (subscription required), the Twins could potentially move shortstop Jorge Polanco to second base, freeing up a spot at shortstop. If that were to happen, the Twins might be interested in landing a high-caliber shortstop such as Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies or Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor.

Of course, to land either of those names, the Twins would have to give up Major League talent and/or a high number of prospects to make the deal work. After being swept by Houston in the 2020 postseason, the Twins have now lost a Major League-record 18 playoff games. Would that streak and the level of postseason frustration in Minnesota be enough for the Twins to pull a big deal that could put them over the top?

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Rosenthal prefaces his thoughts on a potential Story trade by saying the Twins are unlikely to make a big move with names like Marcus Semien and Didi Gregorius on the market. However, he also mentions that players like them might be unwilling to sign a long-term deal knowing that Story and Lindor are scheduled to hit the free agent market following the 2021 campaign.

One of the potential trade pieces mentioned often from the Twins is, ironically, the player that would need to move from second base in order to make any kind of deal happen. Luis Arraez has played 80 of his 126 MLB games at second base, but has also seen action at third, shortstop, and in left field. The 23-year-old isn’t eligible for arbitration until 2023 and becomes a free agent in 2026, so he does possess the versatility and long-term, less expensive commitment that the Rockies have been drawn toward in recent years.

While the potential Story move to Minnesota is more a thought than an actual flaming piece of news off the hot stove, it also shows how Story’s name will continue to circulate in rumors until the Rockies decide what they’re going to do in the long term with Story and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who could opt out of his contract following the 2021 season as well.

Other rumors regarding Story this offseason have already surfaced, including this one with the Cincinnati Reds and a “what if” trade proposal idea with the New York Yankees.