Colorado Rockies spring training: 3 interesting quotes we heard

Position players and pitchers have all reported to Colorado Rockies camp and, with that, we’re getting to hear from various players and/or manager Bud Black on a daily basis.

Through the magic of Zoom (and with the help of the great folks inside the Colorado Rockies media relations department), we’re sitting in on media sessions every day with players to hear their thoughts on the upcoming season and life after Nolan Arenado. With that, there have been a few quotes that have stood out above the others to us on these recent calls.

In this article, we will highlight three quotes from Colorado Rockies players and give you our take on exactly what they mean.

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Let’s start with Trevor Story, a player who will have an interesting 2021 season, no matter what Colorado’s final record turns out to be.

With his future in Denver uncertain, Story was asked earlier this week for an update on his contract. As you’re likely aware, Story’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, setting up a “will they or won’t they” scenario when it comes to the All-Star shortstop and if the Rockies will trade him away.

“Yeah, it’s a contract year. But, to me, every year is pretty much that way,” Story told Rox Pile and other reporters earlier this week.

Story went on to say that “there’s no talks right now,” when it comes to a deal in Denver that extends past 2021.

Next year’s free agent shortstop class, that could include Story if the Rockies can’t ink him to a deal, is setting up to be ridiculously talented. Will the Rockies look to trade Story before the deadline, hold on to him and tag with him a qualifying offer before he leaves, sign him to a deal, or simply let him walk out in free agency? Honestly, the options as we see them in all likelihood happening are listed right there from most possible to least.

Story is approaching the year with a business-first attitude, which is not surprising. It’s the same attitude he has brought into every spring. It’s also not surprising that Story is deflecting as many questions as he can about what might be to come. With no Rockies contract talks brewing right now, Story knows he can control little other than what he is going to do on the field, no matter what team colors he may be wearing.

On Wednesday, Charlie Blackmon said that, upon first hearing the news about Nolan Arenado being traded to St. Louis, he thought about no longer being able to team up on a daily basis with one of his friends. Unfortunately, this is something that’s become common for Blackmon, going back to DJ LeMahieu (now with the New York Yankees) who he lived with, worked out with, and even got a helping hand from when he infamously ran out of gas.

Now, settling in for spring training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Blackmon says that the reality of a post-Arenado purple-colored world has settled in … and it’s not as scary as he thought it might be.

“How do we move forward in the wake of his absence? That’s the part that doesn’t scare me as much it did initially when it first happened when I look around and I see the talent in the locker room, who’s going to replace him and what it means for our team. I think we still have a good team. We have lots of talent.”

It’s very apparent that the Rockies, from Freeland to Gray to Blackmon, are ensuring that the world hears that they believe in what Colorado still has in the clubhouse. The “no one believes in us, so let’s prove them wrong” mentality has been an early theme of Rockies spring and don’t expect it to change any time soon. Expect the Rockies to have a chip on their shoulder all season.

Blackmon is one of the leaders on the team, both on the field and in the clubhouse. He’s also one of the faces of the franchise in the eyes of many outside Denver who couldn’t name many Rockies outside of Story and Blackmon. His words when meeting with the media are always measured and have purpose. That was evident again on Wednesday.