Trevor Story trade rumors: A key factor in the Cincinnati Reds’ interest level

May 16, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) fields the ball in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) fields the ball in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

At 49-46 heading into Wednesday’s matinee with the New York Mets, the Cincinnati Reds are on the edge of contention for a National League Wild Card spot. Currently sitting five games out of the postseason, the Reds will need to find something to ignite a run to the postseason. Could that “something” be Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), how the Reds fare between now and the trade deadline (July 30) could well determine how active they get in the trade market and if they make a play for Story or other Major League players who could fit their needs.

Here’s why the schedule could play a role in the Cincinnati Reds making a trade deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies for Trevor Story

After finishing a home series against the Mets and having an off day on Thursday, the Reds will welcome the St. Louis Cardinals into Cincinnati for a three-game series before heading to Chicago to meet the Cubs in a four-game set at Wrigley Field. Both the Cardinals and Cubs are trailing the Reds in the National League Central standings, but not by much. Heading into Wednesday, just two games separated the Reds from both the Cubs and Cardinals in the standings while Cincinnati was 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the division lead.

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Playing division foes that are so close to the Reds in the standings could literally be a game-changer in the NL Central this week and show if Cincinnati can conceivably make a run at the postseason.

We have talked in previous articles such as this one about Cincinnati needing a potential upgrade at shortstop and what the Reds could offer the Rockies in a potential trade. It should also be noted that there is also a history of trades between the two franchises, with the most recent one happening in November with a swap involving, among others, pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Robert Stephenson.

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While Colorado interim general manager Bill Schmidt has said he doesn’t believe the Rockies must trade Story before the July 30 deadline, he has also said that if an offer is good for the Rockies, the team will listen. One team that could come calling is the Reds … if they can make it through a division rival-heavy stretch ahead.