Colorado Rockies spring training: 3 interesting quotes we heard

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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)
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) /

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.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 01: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 1, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 01: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 1, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Ryan McMahon didn’t hold back on the praise for starting pitcher Jon Gray when he was asked this week about his thoughts on each of Colorado’s top four starting pitchers (Gray, Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, and Antonio Senzatela).

“Jonny has the best stuff I think out of all of them through and through, man,” McMahon said. “He’s nasty.”

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Let’s trust someone who has seen plenty of all four pitchers on this one. Gray enters this season, much like Story, with his future up in the air. He’s coming off a season where injuries and less velocity on his fastball and slider dominated the headlines. He’s coming off an offseason where there were rumors that the Rockies might non-tender him. He’s entering a season which will be his final one under team control, making him an unrestricted free agent entering 2022 and a potential trade chip as the deadline approaches.

All of that aside, Gray is one of the most successful pitchers in Rockies history, ranking seventh in wins (45, as he and Jorge de la Rosa are the only two Rox pitchers to ever have four seasons of double-digit victories) and fifth in strikeouts (692, and could easily vault into second in that category this season). His success this season will be important for the Rockies, who will lean on their rotation as their strength.

While Marquez and Freeland may grab more headlines, McMahon says it’s Gray who has the best stuff of the bunch. An interesting observation, don’t you think?

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 08: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a three-run double off of relief pitcher Joey Gerber #59 of the Seattle Mariners that scored Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies, Trevor Story #27 and Ryan McMahon #24 during the fifth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on August, 8, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 08: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a three-run double off of relief pitcher Joey Gerber #59 of the Seattle Mariners that scored Garrett Hampson #1 of the Colorado Rockies, Trevor Story #27 and Ryan McMahon #24 during the fifth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on August, 8, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Here are the odds for Blackmon to win NL MVP in 2021. dark

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.

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