The most likely destinations for Story

With the season reaching its climax, many fans are beginning to think about the offseason. With that in mind, we begin to take a look at one of the most important free agents in free agency.

Name: Trevor story
Position: Short field
Team: Colorado Rockies
Age (As of Opening Day 2022): 29
Statistics for 2021: .251 / .329 / .471, 24 HR, 75 RBIs, 20 SB

Story is one of the top five shortstops available on the free market this year, coming off a season slightly below his standards. With rumors of change all around him and an elbow injury in the early months of the season, Story battled inconsistency at the plate, diminishing his market value. When the transaction deadline passed, Story was still in Colorado. In the end, neither team could reach the price required by the Rockies.

Story’s numbers improved a bit in the last 53 games after the deadline, hitting .263 / .359 / .544 with 11 home runs after July 30. In the previous 89 games, the shortstop had averaged .240 / .312 / .429 with 13 homers.

Because he stayed with the team, Story will receive the qualifying offer, which means that the team that hires him will have to send a compensatory draft pick to the Rockies.

1. Rockies
Colorado has made it clear that retaining Story will be a priority, although given how things turned out with Nolan Arenado, it remains to be seen whether Story decides to sign a long-term contract with the Rockies. On the other hand, understanding the strength of this year’s shortstop free agent class, Story could choose to accept the one-year qualifying offer and try to repower his value for next winter.

2. Rangers
A return to his native Texas would be one of the possibilities for Story, which would represent a great step for the rebuilding of the Rangers. The main obstacle to this option is the shortstop’s desire to reach a contending team. The Rangers are coming off a 100-loss season and appear to be several years away from competing. Texas has less than $ 30 million committed by 2022 and none by 2023, so money would not be an issue.

3. Tigers
Detroit saw significant improvement under foreman AJ Hinch in his first year at the club, putting Detroit in a good position to move forward in 2022. The combined .595 OPS among the team’s shortstops was the second. worst in the majors, with up to five players defending the position. The Tigers have the monetary capacity to be able to sign Story.

4. Phillies
With Didi Gregorius and Ronald Torreyes primarily defending the position, the combined .655 OPS among Philadelphia shortstop was the third worst in the National League. The Phillies will see $ 25 million out of their payroll, assuming they will not exercise the option of Andrew McCutchen and Odubel Herrera of Venezuela.

5. Cubs
Chicago hit the reset button on the trade deadline, leaving Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez and Craig Kimbrel, and Kyle Schwarber before the start of the season. However, the Cubs are not expected to be in rebuild mode for long. Baseball operations president Jed Hoyer recently said the club will be “very active on the free market,” so the idea of ​​dealing with one of the best shortstop available might make sense.

6. Angels
After their sixth straight season with a losing record, the Angels will look to make the necessary moves to be able to compete in 2022. That includes the pitching staff, but it can also mean an improvement to a lineup that finished mid-table in the American League in runs scored. The combined OPS among shortstops of .665 was the 23rd worst in the majors.

7. Yankees
The Yankees moved Gleyber Torres from shortstop in the final weeks of the season, leaving that spot vacant in the Bronx. Top Yankees prospect Anthony Volpe defends the position, but he is barely 20 years old and is expected to be a couple of years away from his debut. The Yankees took advantage of a slow market for DJ LeMahieu three winters ago. If Story struggles to find a long-term deal, New York could try to grab the gunboat.

8. Sailors
The Mariners will be looking for a power bat for the middle of the infield in the winter, and while it’s unclear how much GM Jerry Dipoto will be willing to invest, Story could fit the bill very well.

9. Cardinals
It was recently reported that St. Louis had talks to acquire Story in the summer. Why not consider him a free agent again? If Story is willing to agree to a short-term pact to reestablish his market value, the Cardinals could try to convince him and reunite him with Nola Arenado on the left side of the infield.