Rumors: Are the Texas Rangers still in on former Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story?

The Texas Rangers made the first of what will likely be a bevy of moves this offseason as our colleague, Robert Murray, was the first to report that the Rangers have agreed to terms with free agent infielder Marcus Semien on Sunday afternoon. With that report, most people would have thought that the Rangers would no longer be in on former Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story … but you would be wrong.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Rangers are still in on Trevor Story. This is definitely interesting but not all that surprising.

The Texas Rangers are still in on former Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story

As we reported more than two weeks ago, Texas Rangers GM Chris Young told the media at the GM Meetings in Carlsbad, California, that the club was hoping to add payroll that would bring them close to where they were in pre-pandemic seasons. In the five pre-pandemic seasons, the Rangers had a payroll of roughly $150 million so, for 2022, the Rangers would roughly be adding $100 million to their payroll this offseason.

Semien will reportedly get $175 million for the deal (AAV of $25 million), he will only be, roughly, one-quarter of their offseason expenditures. In other words, the Rangers have plenty enough money for both Semien and Story, add another bat or two via free agency, as well as some pitching.

The Rangers could use Semien or Story either at second base or shortstop with the other playing the other position.

Story, 29, is a native of Irving, Texas, which is a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and lives there in the offseason. He told Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry that “geography” was a factor for him in signing with a team so the Rangers will definitely still be in the mix for Story until he signs this offseason.

If Story were to sign with the Rangers this offseason, it will be a signing that most people would not have been surprised about just 24 hours ago but now, he would not be the only big bat to join the team.