Colorado Rockies: Working out a trade to send Trevor Story to the Texas Rangers

The trade proposals might be better than the Rockies trade for Nolan Arenado.

This is the bigger package of the two and it’s bigger because it would give the Rangers a “window” to extend Story. There would be no guarantee that they would extend Story but the opportunity would hinge upon Story agreeing to talk with Texas during the season about an extension.

If he (and his agent) would not agree upon it, the deal would be a little bit less.

So let’s discuss the players in the deals.

The Rockies will likely be looking to trade Givens this year as they are Story. Givens is obviously not as big of a name but considering that the Rangers are in desperate need of bullpen help and Givens is a free agent after the season, the Rockies are going to try to dump his salary.

In return, the Rockies would get four players and, in our opinion, it would be a better return than the Rockies got for Nolan Arenado.

Shortstop Anderson Tejeda and right-handed pitcher DeMarcus Evans would be the two guys in both deals.

Tejeda, the 22-year-old switch hitter, made his MLB debut with Texas last year and in his short stint in the majors (23 games), he played well. So he could take over for Story at shortstop if the Rockies decide not to move Brendan Rodgers or Garrett Hampson to shortstop. Tejeda can also play second and third base as well. Entering 2021, he is the Rangers #12 prospect. On MLB.com’s scouting scale of 20 to 80, this is how he ranks.

• Hit: 45
• Run: 50
• Field: 60
• Power: 55
• Arm: 70
• Overall: 50

If acquired, Demarcus Evans could be a factor in the Rockies bullpen.

Evans, 24, also made his debut with the Rangers in 2020 but he had even less time in the majors as he only had four appearances. He no longer ranks in the Rangers top 30 prospects but was ranked #21 last year.

He’s a big guy as he is listed at 6’5″ and 265 pounds. He only has a two-pitch mix as a reliever (fastball and curveball) and both are above-average pitches (70 and 65 entering last year) but his control needs some work (40 on a scale of 20-80). But he’s young enough that he could a) work on it in Albuquerque or b) work on it in the majors since he’s close to the majors anyways.

Phillips, 23, is another guy that, like Evans, was ranked in the Rangers top 30 prospects but dropped off in 2021. However, Phillips has not made his debut yet. He hasn’t pitched above Double-A but with the Rockies overall pitching depth currently, he could very easily start the season in Albuquerque. Phillips has mainly been a starter in the minors and he’s a groundball pitcher, which would work well with the Rockies.

He possesses a sinking fastball, curve, slider, and a change and the change is his best pitch (60 on a scouting scale). MLB.com says that he has “one of the highest floors among Texas pitching prospects” so while he fell off the prospect list, it’s mainly because he didn’t play in 2020 due to the pandemic. He is projected to make the majors in 2021 but 2022 may be more likely.

Rangers prospect Sherten Apostel could also be on the Rockies MLB roster.

Apostel, 22, is a corner infielder who also made his debut for the Rangers, albeit briefly, in 2020. His power (55) and arm (65) but his hit tool (45) hasn’t come around quite yet. However, as MLB.com mentions, he’s still getting used to his 6’4″, 235 pound frame. He also pitched in high school (and had a fastball into the 90s) but the Rangers don’t plan on using him as a pitcher. The Rockies, however, could decide to. He is the Rangers #11 prospect.

White, 21, is the lone guy that wouldn’t likely be in the majors or Triple-A for the Rockies. He was the Rangers second-round draft pick in 2018. However, he still hasn’t pitched in a pro-game. He didn’t pitch for the Rangers in 2018, had Tommy John surgery in 2019, and didn’t pitch in 2020 due to the pandemic.

However, on a scouting scale, all four of his pitches are average or above and his control is as well. MLB.com projects him as a second or third starter once he gets some more innings and development under his belt in the minors. After the Tommy John surgery, he was throwing 96 on his fastball so after his surgery is further in the rearview mirror, his velocity could go higher. He is currently ranked as the Rangers #19 prospect.

Outfielder Steele Walker would be intrguing for the Rockies in more ways than one.

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Walker, 24, is a left-handed throwing and hitting outfielder and due to the pandemic, he has not played a game with the Rangers organization. They acquired him in the Nomar Mazara trade in the 2019-2020 offseason. His power and arm (both rated 45) are his weakest tools currently but his best is his hit tool (55).

MLB.com says that he has “an advanced hitter with outstanding hand-eye coordination who recognizes pitches well and controls the strike zone” and compares him to former MLB outfielder Mark Kotsay. Walker can play center fielder but with his below average arm, he might be best in left field.

He, however, went to school at the University of Oklahoma and the Rockies love their Oklahoma guys. The Rockies, of course, used to have their Double-A team in Tulsa but Matt Holliday, Jon Gray, and some others were from Oklahoma as well.

Also, it should be noted that not a dime is going to Texas in return, as the Rockies sent more than $50 million in the Nolan Arenado deal.

So what do you think? Think that the Rockies (in real life) can or should get more or did we do well in the trade? Let us know on social media.