What would the Rockies need to receive to trade Story?

With the 2020 Winter Meetings set to kick off virtually in a few days (Dec. 7- Dec 10), I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to prepare for the nightmarish scenario that is a potential Trevor Story trade. The rumors, presumably, will intensify with each passing day, unless the Rockies make a move that shows a newfound commitment from ownership that winning now is the goal.

While my personal opinion is that Trevor Story will still be a Rockie at the start of the 2021 season (no, I’m not just saying that because I bought a Trevor Story jersey last year and don’t want to feel like I wasted money) my gut tells me I should begin thinking about a post-story Rockies team to soften the blow in case a trade does come to fruition.

The asking price is sky high for the two time all-star who has firmly planted himself in the “best shortstops in the league” conversation. At 28 years old, Story is firmly in his prime and getting better every season, qualities that will make the Rockies very picky when it comes to talks regarding their star shortstop. Any deal that includes Story will have to net the Rockies some Major League level talent on top of a serious haul of prospects.

In the short term, losing Trevor Story would cause a big hole in the Rockies’ infield, although said opening would be a chance for Brendan Rodgers to get more consistent game time at the Major League level. It’s still tough to get a grasp on what Rodgers’s future with the club entails, but living up to the expectations of being the number three overall draft pick in 2015 would go a long ways towards reducing the pain of a Trevor Story departure.

As the saying goes, “all roads lead to Rome” and for the Rockies currently, Rome is the bullpen. Despite making a few minor signings to try and give the ‘pen a boost, the Rockies still need a lot of help in that department, and you have to think a Trevor Story trade might require some major-league ready relief help. We don’t need to rehash the horrors of last year’s bullpen numbers, but unless they go for a direct MLB replacement for Story, the Rockies will need a big name arm to help right the ship.

Regarding prospects in a Story trade, the Rockies could go for one or two big fish, but might be better served by going for a higher volume of solid quality prospects. The exact ranking varies depending on where you look, but across the board, the Rockies farm-system ranks in the bottom five of the league. On MLB’s website, the top 100 prospects include just a singular Rockie - 49th ranked Zac Veen who isn’t projected to make it to the bigs until 2024. Some people would consider Brendan Rodgers a prospect still so you could make an argument that he doubles the Rockies’ presence in the top 100, but it doesn’t matter how you spin it. Bottom line: The Rockies farm system is not good and any trade for Trevor Story needs to address this area and start to solidify the future for the club.

As I said, a Trevor Story trade still seems unlikely, especially if the club trades Arenado the rumor that seems to carry more weight these days, but if the Rockies opt to completely tear down the house, Story could be on his way out, and the team will need Major League talent and prospects coming their way to make it worth it.

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Ballplayer Ballot | The Ace of Spaeder

For the third straight year, MLB Analyst Ryan Spaeder is conducting his Ballplayer Ballot in which former MLB players submit their voting for the year’s Hall of Fame ballot. This year’s results are beginning to take shape and as Todd Helton frequently resides in the top three or four spots in almost every ballot on the list.

It’s worth taking a look at the 51 mock ballots that currently reside on the list and not just for the positive evaluation Todd Helton is given by his peers. Kevin Frandsen’s ballot includes a Barry Bonds anecdote that paints a bright light on the controversial slugger, one which might convince some anti-Bonds readers to reconsider their current position.

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Rockies non-tender Dahl, Wolters, González | Purple Row

There was no shortage of moves for the Rockies when the non-tender deadline came last night.

Neither Dahl nor Wolters had the performances they would have wanted in 2020, but it still comes as a bit of a surprise that neither will be with the Rockies next season. Dahl’s 2020 was a big disappointment following his All-Star campaign in 2019, and Wolters’s steady presence behind the plate and unforgettable Wild Card winner in 2018 weren’t enough to make up for his inadequacies at the plate.

González, slotted into the back end of the Rockies rotation the last two years, but his 6.86 ERA left the club wanting more.

At the end of the day, the financial burden of COVID-19 meant certain moves that may never have occurred in a regular year, were bound to happen. For a more in-depth summary of last night’s moves, Ben Kouchnerkavich has you covered.

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