"A Dream Come True": Top Teams In Pursuit of Trevor Story in Free Agency

 

Trevor Story himself was in shock when he wasn't dealt at this season's trade deadline. The Colorado Rockies have been cleaning house, and with Story entering free agency, the team has not discussed a new contract with him. It was clear he wouldn't be returning. 

Now he's fair game for whichever team shows him the money. Story has spent his entire six-year career in Colorado, compiling some big numbers in the rarefied air of Coors Field. He is one of only seven players in MLB history to hit 150 home runs, and steal 100 bases in their first six years in the majors. 

The free agent shortstop crop is epic this offseason; Here are three teams at the top of the list in pursuit of this two-time All-Star. 

1. New York Yankees

Story has a number of requirements in any team looking to sign him, as noted by The Athletic, and the Yankees would seem to meet pretty much all of them. “I’ve always said that winning is at the top for me,” Story said. “And culture and environment. And geography."

The Yankees, of course, have a history of winning, and a culture and environment that's unrivaled in baseball. They looked into Story at the trade deadline, and shortstop is definitely a position they're looking to upgrade. The fit seems like a good one. 

Story's favorite player growing up was Derek Jeter, and he himself called Yankee Stadium "the mecca of meccas". He said this season that playing in Yankee Stadium would be "a dream come true."

Trevor Story — potentially a dream come true to return to Yankee Stadium @MatthewStucko
pic.twitter.com/BFsAe4qv7t

— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) July 29, 2021

2. Texas Rangers

The only factor on Story's list that we didn't mention for the Yankees is geography. Enter the Texas Rangers. Story is from nearby Irving, Texas; the Rangers are pretty much his home team. 

The Rangers are also ready to spend big to upgrade their roster, and shortstop is a position they're targeting. 

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Story's old Rockies teammate Nolan Arenado can vouch for the "culture" and "environment" aspect of playing in St. Louis, so right there, the Cardinals have an "in" with Story. 

St. Louis' power wasn't among the league leaders this season, and shortstop is a position that certainly can use an upgrade. As stated in the breakdown by The Athletic, the Cards are "looking to make a big splash in free agency", and Story's power and connection to Arenado could make for a match. 

Other teams with interest, as they are with all of the big-name free agent shortstops, include the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners. 

As always, with any Rockies hitter, it's buyer-beware once they get out of Coors Field. Story's home-road splits are a bit telling (.303 home avg. vs .241 road; .972 home OPS vs .752 road; 95 home HR vs 63 road).

He's noted as a quality character player, however, and can bring a lot to any clubhouse. 

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports