Rumors: The Colorado Rockies “would like to try” to bring Trevor Story back

Jon Heyman of MLB Network is reporting on Monday that the Colorado Rockies “in an interesting twist” would like to bring free agent shortstop Trevor Story back to the team

It’s not really an “interesting twist” in that the Rockies have always wanted to bring Trevor Story back to the team but it is an “interesting twist” if the Rockies are offering Story a competitive offer.

Are the Colorado Rockies truly trying to bring Trevor Story back to the team?

Trevor Story, 29, had a down season in 2021, partially due to injury but he still led the Colorado Rockies in WAR. Story hit 24 homers with 75 RBI and he hit .251/.329/.471 with an OPS+ of 103. His WAR was higher because of his defensive skills, as he had 9 Defensive Runs Saved.

In the previous three seasons, Story received MLB votes in each of the three seasons and was an All-Star each time (since there was no All-Star Game in 2020) but his average numbers were much higher too. He hit .292/.355/.554 with an OPS+ of 123 from 2018 through 2020. In 2018 and 2019, he averaged 36 home runs and 96 RBI.

Story is likely to get a six- or seven-year deal that is likely in the $25 million per year territory.

If the Rockies offer him a contract in that territory, there is a chance that the Rockies could bring Story back. The problem is that the Rockies have, seemingly, not offered Story anywhere near that value.

Wanting him back and offering him a competitive offer to return are two different things. And both things are completely different than Story wanting to return. Story could decide that he wants to return to a team that is, perennially, more competitive, like the Houston Astros, who may be losing their own shortstop, Carlos Correa.

Story will be an interesting follow in the next coming days to see if he signs with a team before the probable lockout or if he waits until the labor negotiations are solved.