Rumors: Will Colorado Rockies fans follow Detroit Tigers more in 2022?

Will Colorado Rockies fans become bigger followers of the Detroit Tigers in 2022? With the Tigers reportedly showing interest in pitcher Jon Gray and shortstop Trevor Story already this offseason, it’s possible that the eyes of the Rocky Mountain region could turn to Motor City more next season should one or both of the former Rockies end up in Detroit.

Here’s why there are plenty of rumors tying the Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers together

It’s been reported that the Tigers are looking to bring in a veteran starting pitcher, and one of the targets with whom Detroit representatives have already had “early interest” in (according to a tweet from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi) is Gray, who was not tendered a qualifying offer from the Rockies and will not have a draft pick attached to him should he sign with another team.

Gray does have a career 8-3 mark with a 3.67 ERA and 1.063 WHIP in 17 starts against American League teams. AL hitters have posted just a .199 batting average in 407 plate appearances, numbers that might boost potential interest in the just-turned-30-year-old former third overall pick.

At the just-concluded meeting of MLB general managers in Carlsbad, Calif., Colorado general manager Bill Schmidt confirmed that the Rockies haven’t had any talks with Gray’s camp since the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are also looking to upgrade at shortstop and Story is among the group of free agent shortstops that Detroit representatives have been investigating. Morosi has added on Twitter that Story’s agent has been contacted by the Tigers, along with the agents for fellow shortstops Carlos Correa, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Javier Báez, and Chris Taylor. As Morosi says in his tweet, the Tigers are taking a “comprehensive” look at who might be the right fit for the right price as Detroit looks to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Sure, it might be a long shot for the Tigers to land both Story and Gray in time for the 2022 campaign. However, if they did, plenty of Rockies fans will be keeping an eye on what’s going on in Detroit when next season unfolds.