The White Sox “have serious interest” in star Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Colorado isn’t expected to trade Story — to the White Sox or anyone else — before the All-Star Break, Nightengale adds.
At first glance, the Sox would appear to be an odd fit to acquire a high-end shortstop. They already have an All-Star caliber player at the position in Tim Anderson. The idea under consideration, though, would be for Chicago to add Story with the idea of kicking him over to second base for the remainder of the year.
Chicago has already lost incumbent second baseman Nick Madrigal for the season on account of a hamstring strain that required surgery. The position has been manned by Danny Mendick and Leury García since then, and it’s clearly an area at which the Sox front office is hoping to upgrade. Chicago has been tied to both Diamondbacks infielder Eduardo Escobar and Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier in recent weeks. Those remain plausible scenarios, although Nightengale writes that Escobar’s recent battle with a nagging right quad injury has cooled Chicago’s interest in him somewhat.
While it might be surprising to hear of a team contemplating a trade for a plus defensive shortstop only to move him off the position, the idea becomes more sensible when considering the league context. Most contending clubs already have an entrenched in-house shortstop. That could cause teams to look for more creative ways of installing Story into the lineup to plug other holes on the roster.
Story hasn’t played anywhere other than shortstop during his MLB career. He had a little bit of time at second and third base during his days as a prospect but hasn’t logged a single inning at another position since 2015. Nevertheless, there’s reason to believe he’s equipped to take on another spot on the dirt.
Second and third base are less demanding positions to handle than shortstop. A team acquiring Story and moving him to second temporarily wouldn’t be all that dissimilar from the Blue Jays signing former A’s shortstop Marcus Semien to man the keystone in deference to Bo Bichette. Semien has adjusted to that transition swimmingly.
A player’s willingness to take on new positions can vary person-to-person, of course. But there’d be ample reason for Story to embrace a move off shortstop if it helps facilitate a trade. Not only would he leave the 36-48 Rockies for a chance to compete for a postseason berth, a midseason deal would remove the possibility of Story being tagged with a qualifying offer before he hits free agency at the end of the year.
Teams other than the White Sox are certainly also in the mix for Story, so a trade of some sort continues to look very likely. The 28-year-old isn’t amidst his best season, hitting .255/.328/.445 with ten home runs across 296 plate appearances. He was among the best players in baseball over the past three seasons, though, combining for a cumulative .292/.355/.554 slash line.
Or move Anderson, and leave the better defender in Story at SS.
Yeah, that’s just them being ignorant. If winning matters to anderson, he’d volunteer to move to 2B
Story has played more 2B as a pro…
Hasn’t played it since ‘15…
and Anderson has never appeared anywhere but at SS as a pro.
Let’s make a long Story short
Read the article
Yeah, I’m sure Story’s experience 6 years ago will make him WAAAAY better than Anderson would be and justify moving the better defender of SS…
I can remember the Chisox were supposedly ‘all in’ on Barry Bonds. They are usually all in on everybody, until it comes time to pay the price. They love that free publicity.
You mean MLBTR and Franco being ignorant right? I didn’t see any comment from the Sox in this story.
Jerry means business now. Great job Kenny and Rick also.
Great job for what? They haven’t done anything yet.
Pete, Pete, Pete. You know Reinsdorf better than that. Jerry likes to get stuff, on the cheap. Nobody’s gonna give Story to uncle Jer.
Well, he does overpay for guys like Keuchel and Grandal.
Dogboner – no one cheaper than the Cubs!!
Won’t pay to keep their core.
Cubs find their players in the dumpster!
Where we would usually find your posts!
I think everybody has to calm down about where everyone would play. This is clearly an offensive move, if it were ever to happen. They already have a gold glove caliber second baseman on the roster. If they were worried about the defense, they wouldn’t do anything and just let Mendick play. No matter who plays 2B, the offensive output should outweigh the small defensive loss!
Pretty sure that Story would not even think to ask for this as TA is the team leader and the SS after this season as well. The rental player will man 2B.
Story to 3B, Moncada to 2B?
Why is it people keep insisting on moving a guy (Moncada) who is doing great at 3rd, to a position that he stinks out loud at?
Moncada was playing a good 3B up to 3 or 4 weeks ago. Now he is stinking it up.
LOL. This is typical Chisox hype.
Story way better defensive ss than Anderson.
That’d make a lot more sense if Story had more than half a year of control left. It’s not worth moving Tim for such a short period of time.
C’mon! This is all BS!
Let us know when a trade is complete.
These stories not even good enuff to qualify as a rumor.
It is a rumor. The site is MLBTradeRumors.com, not MLBCompletedTrades.com.
Not a rumor cause one reporter says so
@Chisox, so how many sources are needed to qualify as a rumor? Lol. Maybe we need a sister site named MLB Trade Ideas.
Once someone says it, then someone else hears and repeats it, what else does it need? It’s a rumor.
With Bob Nightengales name attached to this RUMOR, I’ll just take it with a grain of salt. He has already had White Sox trading for (at any moment) a minimum of 6 players in the last 2 weeks. Bob is one of the worst trade rumor has to offer. BTW Anderson has way more upside than Story does and is already a better defender. I don’t care what Anderson did in 2017 at SS…2021 he’s probeble in TOP 5 of fewest errors
Theoretically, Sox interested in every player given the right scenario.
That’s kind of how rumors are put out in the sports world, is by reporters. I’ll grant you that Nightengale is batting around the Mendoza line, but it’s still a rumor. And if you don’t like reading such articles, you can always go elsewhere.
As for the Sox being interested in every player, no, not even sort of true. Would they take on a bad deal to get a top 10 prospect or player at a position of need? Yes, but then they’re interested in the good players, not the bad. Nobody’s calling the Orioles asking about Chris Davis. Wouldn’t take him even if Baltimore paid his salary down to the league minimum.
They are the Toronto of the trade deadline. Not a rumor until CW is mentioned.
I said “given the right scenario” so, yes they would, if trading partner threw in $100M.
Chisox, this is the most realistic post by you, I’ve ever noticed.
No one’s listening
Stop the Trevor Story trade talk. The chance of White Sox signing a lifetime of $1 million per year deal to Bobby Bonilla is more likely. This is about as equal to Sox trading for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper a few years ago.
Didn’t see this one coming.
That’s cause it’s not coming
Lol id move anderson. Story is better at SS imo
i dont get the shock. Story has played 2B as a professional and SS -> 2B isnt a radical move. in a crowded FA SS market, surely Story would welcome the ability to show his versitility.
If SS -> 2B isn’t a radical move, then why wouldn’t you move the worse SS? Are you trying to troll? Your takes are dumpster fire level of bad.
Because TA is a team leader and part of the core and Story’s a rental. Though TA is so hyped about winning he’d gladly move over if it put the team over the top
If anyone on the planet can make a case for why Story hasn’t been dealt already I would love to hear it. The team is going nowhere. He publicly said he’s leaving. I don’t understand the incompetence of these GMs with 1 or 2 good players on terrible teams. Trade them. It makes no sense that he’s still on the Rockies today. Do it now.
waiting for the best offer presumably
The players value does not increase as time goes by. That’s a negotiating issue. These are well paid college educated people who don’t work with their hands they work with their minds. And I don’t just mean the Rockies people I mean the other teams decision makers. How 2 teams can’t get together and work this out I don’t understand.
As far as fans and the all star game goes come on now. Fans want to see a winner. Keeping Story around on a losing team doesn’t help that goal long term. Fans are not stupid, the few of them that actually care about baseball in Colorado.
Teams get more desperate as the trade deadline draws closer. So better offers will come in that week and most likely from more teams as they figure out if they are buying or selling at the deadline.
The offers are likely going to get better as we move closer to the deadline, and the Rockies know it.
The offers get better until they get worse…. Who else is in the mix for Story, Escobar, and Frazier? Until more teams begin bidding against themselves, the Rockies are not in a position of leverage
All-Star Game in Denver. That’s why.
Just further proof they have no idea what they’re doing in Colorado.
In that division, they need to maximize the return towards the rebuild and with each AB he takes for Colorado equating to a lessening of immediate trade value and an increase of a return bludgeoning injury it’s no wonder they’re parked in the basement for the foreseeable future.
They know EXACTLY what they are doing. They are just not doing what you want them to do. They are more concerned with making money than having winning ballclubs. The Monforts treat the Rockies like a businessman would instead of treating it like a fan or a GM. The Rockies are just an avenue to build their wealth instead of other team where owners use their wealth to build winning ballclubs.
As a Rockies fan, I have accepted that. I don’t agree with it, but I love my team regardless of the weird ownership.
I don’t have the local level of frustration or involvement, but ultimately, winning clubs are more valuable than train wrecks.
If that is indeed the unfortunate thought process then such a strategy is more akin to slumlord logic than a successful business owner in which a guaranteed minor profit from revenue sharing clearly caps greater earning potential from product and brand growth.
Still dont see how three weeks of Story and a few ASG likeness apparel sales is more valuable than better prospects and winning baseball, but hey, like you said they probably know what they’re doing, so we can accept they’re idiots.
Most teams don’t trade their top guys before the all star game let alone when you are hosting it. They are also waiting for the best possible offer. Not wishing injury on anyone but for example if Tim Anderson
*If Tim Anderson got hurt or any other team with a sudden hole before the deadline they’d get a better deal
Maybe you can hire Tonya Harding to do your bidding on Anderson
They are not trading him before the All Star Game in their home park. As a long time Rockies fan, I can say without doubt that ownership is more worried about pleasing fans through appearance and amenities over winning ballclubs. With already having Arenado show up at the ASG in another uniform, they are not going to have Story do the same thing. Or at the very least, I would be more shocked at that than just about anything that I have ever seen in baseball.
If the Rockies get the right package for Story, they’ll trade him tomorrow. The home field All-Star game should have nothing to do with their decision. If they get an offer they can’t refuse, they will trade him even if the deal has to be signed on the day of the All-Star game itself and they would pull him from the AS lineup without hesitation if the deal moves him from the NL to AL. The Rockies #1 goal has to be to maximize the return on their franchise player and nothing else should distract them, even the home field AS game. The Rockies have a very loyal fan base and they will support ownership so long as the deal has the right caliber of prospects in it. All I know is that the return on Story has to be 2X+ compared to what they received for Arenado. That deal had long term salary dump issues attached to it; Story’s contract is unencumbered after 2021, so teams will need to pay a high price if they want to add Story for the stretch run. Not quite 2016 Aroldis Chapman ‘costs’ but something closer to that vs. what they accepted for Arenado. I hope the deal works out for both sides; Story leads his new team deep in the playoffs (and lands a huge FA contract deal along the way) while Colorado gets back a player or two who will help lead the Rockies for the next 5-6 seasons.
That doesn’t HAVE to be the goal just because you believe it to be. The Rockies have proven in their entire history to go against the grain of conventional wisdom,
Colorado has to get this right. They done fired all the guys responsible for the demise so it’s essential they start off on right foot w new decision makers.
Doesn’t matter when the trade happens – it’s what they get in return is what matters. U can keep him and still get a draft pick around 30 next summer. So u have to get a better return than that.
So if it’s white Sox – u are asking for one of Vaughn mandrigal or cease plus 2 more players of much less renown. If u can’t get that then next bidder.
Story is a rental. U r on crack.
Lucky to get Mercedes.
He’ll cost more than Mercedes, but much less than Vaughn/Madrigal/Cease plus two more. Oddvark suggested below Burger/Sheets and one lower level prospect. I think that about gets it done, depending on the last prospect.
No one wants those guys. Colorado be better off picking roughly 30 than taking that crap package. Oddvark is a noob who gets paid to make fantasy predictions that generate headlines.
Lol you’re the second clown Sox fan on here to think that Mercedes is gonna get you a haul.
Lucky to get Mercedes for Story??
Seriously—what is wrong with you guys?
Woo hoo. I’m getting paid now! How much?
@Lefty
I never said the Sox would get a haul for Mercedes.
You should look into a career in political ads, with all the sensationalism you put into your posts (ex. 0 for 100 slump for Mercedes).
Gotta love the trolls who twist what others say (and outright lie) to makes themselves look better and smarter. Again, politics is the perfect fit for you.
Yeah, you’re not getting one of those first 3 guys for a half season of anyone.
In the past week Nightengale has had them finalizing a deal for Escobar, closing in on Frazier and now Story. By midweek either the blind squirrel is going to find the acorn or Nightengale will have the Sox chasing Banks and Yount. Guys with the batting average of Nightengale get demoted every day to the minors.
No way Milwaukee trades Yount within the division.
And I guess that would eliminate the Cubs from trading Banks cross town. Looking like a slow week for Mr. Nightengale. Very well played, everlasting.
Let me know when he sings in Berkeley Square.
It was a very good burn, except Milwaukee is not in the White Sox division.
They were when Yount played. That’s the joke.
Go to baseball reference. The names Yount , Robin Yount. Also check his stats and which league he played in. That’s why there’s a bunch of thumbs up for the post you are referring to.
Then it is an ill-informed joke because the Brewers were in the AL East when Yount was there and the White Sox were in the AL West.
So they still were not in the same division. And I don’t need to check baseball reference, because I was watching baseball back then.
Uh the Brewers were in the AL East then. But fun fun nonetheless
Yeah, so not one time during Robin Yount’s 20-year playing career were the Brewers and White Sox in the same division… the Brewers were in the AL East, while the White Sox were in the AL West.
Instead of ensuring you were correct, you acted like a condescending jerk.
Everything Nightengale reports is exactly what Kenny Williams wants him to report. Nightengale hasn’t been a “reporter” for a long time. He’s a paid mouthpiece for Reinsdorf and Williams.
There are plenty of guys that make a living doing that kind of work…. I just have a special disdain for Nightengale after defending Larussa’s second DWI as “not that big a deal.”
Yeah, it’s like Jon Heyman. They’re more PR people than they are, “reporters” at this point.
Who would the Sox have to give up for Story?
Probably starts with Jared Kelly. Would have to throw in a few guys closer, like Sheets, Collins, or Burger. And probably another lower level guy as well. Even as a rental, a guy like Story is going to cost a ton. But that’s also pretty much the asking price for the other options, because teams think the White Sox are desperate. So get Story. You can’t do nothing, and it’s gonna cost pretty much all of that to make any move.
Story is a 2-3 month rental, and not a particularly cheap one. The Sox are not going to give up multiple of their higher end prospects with 6 years of control for that. But they do have to give more value than a comp pick that the Rockies could get were Story to decline a QO. So maybe one of Sheets or Burger plus a lower end prospect.
Also, the Sox “desperation” is overstated because they have multiple options they can pursue — Story, Fazier, Escobar, Schoop — and there aren’t a lot of contenders looking for infield help. The Sox have sufficient leverage under the circumstances to not have to overpay.
These names were what other teams required for lesser players. It’s less about a normal market and more about the White Sox descent from an elite team due to injuries. Nobody is letting them off the hook. They’ll either give up multiple top tier prospects for a rental or they’ll do nothing. And doing nothing is essentially writing off the season. Teams are betting they won’t do that.
The Rockies have no real leverage. Anything they can get that’s better than a QO pick should be taken, bidding war or not. Story seems all but certain to sign elsewhere, so it’s a pick in the early 30’s or whatever’s being offered.
The only reason they have to hold out is that they got fleeced in the Arenado deal and probably feel some pressure to make up for that, but that doesn’t mean other teams will overpay when they know the Rockies’ only way of jacking up the price is a bidding war. But how many good teams are in need of help at SS or 2B?
Story won’t be cheap as far as rentals go, but I think even Kelley and one of those three is too high.
To be a player short and have to overpay to possibly punch your ticket to a World Series is understandable. However the truth is the current team would have to be a little lucky to beat the Astros/ Red Sox/ Rays in the playoffs even with Story. Probably better off trying to obtain a serviceable vet in his contract year that’s not going to get a QO from his current team. The cost would be less. It’s a shame that they won’t know if Robert, Jimenez, and Abreu can be full strength in August/September until after the deadline. If all were at full speed then the addition of Story would be a difference maker.
Burger isn’t going to get you anything. He’ll be out of baseball in 3 years.
Oh noes. No likes. No replies. The troll on the hill, sees the sun going down, and the eyes in his head see the world spinning round.
I don’t think you’ve been paying attention to how front offices value prospects lately…. And now more than ever, financial relief. He won’t cost as much as you think.
I don’t get the “desperation”. Sox are 6 games in front and are most likely getting 1 or even both of Robert and Jimenez back.
Also, there have been some big trades done in the last 8 months, that haven’t cost even a top 100 prospect. These days it’s quantity over quality.
Agreed @sliderdownandin Also, the Sox need far more than one player to be up to par to beat over .500 ballclubs and mortgaging away their best guys for a 3 month rental (and moving guy to 2nd from SS) would not be enough.. Sox should stick with what they have and instead find a way to put a fire in the existing team’s belly…
The problem with that logic is that the White Sox are not just interested in winning the division. They are looking to win a championship. So are looking to compete with Houston, Boston, Oakland, Toronto, and Tampa (and you can never count out the Yankees). Plus, there is always having to beat the Dodgers or Padres or Brewers or whoever wins the NL. They are not just looking to beat Cleveland.
You cannot possibly use a full six years of all of your top 30 prospects, so why not package a few of them to get a guy that might push you to a title? A half year of Trevor Story would be more valuable to THIS YEAR’S team than 6 years of almost any prospect.
The “flags fly forever” argument. There’s some logic here, but Story’s having a very down year by his standards, with an OPS+ of just 103 (he’s only 113 for his career). Escobar has the same WAR and would be cheaper to acquire. Schoop is near that and probably cheaper still. If they want a big difference, Frazier is having a career year. Story would normally be the big name, but if he’s having a bad year, why would the Sox go all-in on him?
Schoop is laughable at 1B.
Made what should have been 2 errors in one inning a couple of games ago.
Dropped catch on good throw and misplayed ez foul ball.
Schoop is not really a 1B, though he’s improving. Most teams would play him at 2B, where he’s above average. Doesn’t matter though, as Detroit is just as likely to extend him. Doubt they would move him within the division.
Nrd, good point. But fire in the belly is not the issue at all. The likes of Mercedes, Billy Hamilton, Lamb, and Goodwin overperforming at times and the timely contributions of Sheets and Burger is pretty astounding. Next man up indeed. More the case of vets wearing down and pitchers game planning Jose, Yoyo and TA w/o reinforcements. Given how resourceful Rick has been with these pickups, can clearly see him getting help but playing the sellers off against each other: cue the Bob Nightengale PR wind machine.
Delusional white Sox fans !
Story finishing in Colorado lands u a pick around 30. Any of them dudes you are dreaming they are gonna take carry a value of pick 100 or much higher. No one wants used marginal goods.
It will cost one of mandrigal vaugh or cease plus 2 more players. If Colorado can’t get that – then they are much better off keeping him and picking at end of 1st round
LOL! You don’t generally get players like Vaughn and Madrigal at the end of the first round. And there’s no way in hell they get one of them and two more players for a half year rental. That’s Yankee-fan level ridiculous.
Who do they have that you do get then ? U going to settle for less just trade w white Sox ?
Only 10 HR in that thin air?
Batting .250?!
Story sux.
End of Story.
Yeah, you’re wrong. There are other good players with down numbers too.
I thought Arenado would bring one or two plus prospects. Outside if Gomber, it was a trade of garbage. Dame will happen with story unless Story is willing to say he will sign an extension now, which is not going to do. He will test the market. The Rockies have (expletive) themselves again. The return will be services of a ball boy, sunflower seeds, a Seinfeld-episode type hot dog and urinal *beer.”
Then do that delusional bot. Keep Story and your end of 1st round pick. And good luck with the 18 year rebuild. See Special Agents comment above for insight from a more grounded knowledgeable Rockies fan. Not the rantings of a delirious fan boy
I’m not a Rockies fan. Just understand the talent level of pick 30 and it’s WAY higher than what y’all hope is reasonable compensation. Someone will bite for sure and if it’s WS- that’ll be the price.
Problem is you have a more desirable 2b out there (Frazier) so don’t see how the Rox get that type of return.
Here are the most recent 30th picks: Andrew Brackman, Casey Kelley, Levon Washington, Chevy Clarke, Levi Michael,
Ty Hensley, Travis Demeritte, Luis Ortiz, Kyle Holder, Cole Ragans, Alex Lange, JT Ginn, Anthony Volpe, Jordan Westburg. And you want the White Sox to send the Rockies what what?
Lmao you clearly have no idea what you are taking about in terms of trade value. Talk about delusional.
White Sox won’t have to give up madrigal, Vaughn or Cease for a 3 month rental.
Don’t even post if you are going to be that stupid.
And all the social media Trade Experts like “sirandrews” “Dumpster Divin Theo” & hundreds of others are gathering on Trade Rumors boards to clearly help MLB teams make wise decisions in bettering their teams. I’m sure the MLB teams are clamoring for their insight to help better their organizations because these idiots really think ppl are taking them serious. Just read some of these ppl comments and make bank on them. LMAO
Story will NOT be traded anywhere until AFTER the All-Star game. He will be the Rockies lone representative,unless Marquez is picked by Roberts,and is set to be in the HR Derby. As messed up as the Colorado front office appears to be, trading their lone “star” is not happening for at least a couple of weeks. And, if he is traded to the White Sox, it would make all the sense to move Anderson to 2B. Metrics say Story is the better shortstop. Just my opinion…
Marquez has a better case to be the Rockies All Star than Story this season.
But I agree that they won’t trade Story before the ASG (as the post says in the first paragraph), especially with him being in the HR Derby.
Personally I think if the Rockies just get one guy, Ryan McMahon should be him. Marquez has been fantastic when good, but inconsistent. Story and Blackmon have name value. But McMahon has been the Rockies best player this season.
And been terribly quiet recently.
Fair point, but in his defense the Rockies stubbornly refuse to stop yanking around the infield. I know versatility is good for the team, but when you never know where you are playing defensively on a day to day basis, it’s hard to concentrate on your offense.
Story will ruin his swing for rest of season by participating in HR Derby.
You’re not wrong, especially on the trade timeline, but Story hasn’t really been ASG-worthy this year. Solid, but his OPS+ is barely above league average. In WAR terms, Escobar has been equally as good.
For those saying move Anderson…he’s still under contract. Story is a rental. You never move your long term option if he’s just going to have to move back in two months. Makes no sense to even suggest it.
Given what teams are asking the White Sox for much, much worse players, it makes so much more sense for the White Sox to pay a high price for an elite player like Story. Frazier is a flash in the pan that will regress and Escobar can’t get on base enough to help.
Rentals are under contract too. If the White Sox are smart, they will put the best player in the best position. The Yankees made that mistake with Jeter and A-Rod and they stopped winning titles despite having the best team for over 6 years.
After today Bryant will be available. Makes more sense.
Bryant has been horrendous, lately.
Bryant and Rizzo laughing in the dugout as their team takes a beating over and over!
I saw this “highlight” on the TV news.
Exciting time to be a White Sox fan. They’re really fun to watch and set up nicely for the future.
I wish Farhan Zaidi would follow, and go acquire some prover All Star caliber studs for the Giants, because I don’t realistically see us holding off the Dodgers much longer.
Giants should go after Frazier. Deal could be made larger. Pirates need Bart. Power bat also!
Interesting trade proposal. All I know is that I’m not hearing about the Giants going after any young proven All Star caliber talent.
The Dodgers and Padres are absolutely loaded, not sure the Giants can sustain their success for the second half of the season.
Giants are loaded too. Ramos and Bart are both ready for show and either could be most valuable call up of 2nd half.
Giants don’t need to trade for a guy unless it doesn’t cost a top prospect. They could acquire a guy like Donaldson and pay his salary- giants have the cap room
The plot thickens.
If the Sox were to acquire Story, I believe the decision re what position he would play would be almost entirely up to Tim Anderson. If TA wants to play SS, the team won’t move him to 2B. I expect that to be the case — but it wouldn’t shock me if TA decided it would be better for the team to have Story play SS and voluntarily moved to 2B.
Oddvark- Nice post
TA did say he would move to CF during the Machado fiasco.
TA is a team leader with an all in obsession to help motivate the clubhouse. Witness his pep talks to vets like Billy Hamilton allowing them to find their new gear late in the career. Just the chap to welcome Story and facilitate by moving wherever. Could totally see him agreeing to be a Kris Bryant and pitch in at 2b, CF. Just think of the options this could provide Tony and Jerry Narron. Team full of Swiss army knives
Only if the Rockies are picking up 80% or more of the balance of the $18 million Story is owed this season. As usual, his value is inflated because of Coors. Lifetime 750 OPS away from Coors and 979 at Coors.
As usual, people around here completely overrate H/R splits for Rockies players. Coors Field is by far the best hitting ballpark, so home stats will be inflated. Conversely, the Rockies are the only team to not have their road stats inflated by Coors numbers as well. Not to mention 3 of their division ballparks (SF, LA, SD) are among the more favorable pitchers parks in the league.
Home/road stats for Rockies is more useless than it is for any other team. And honestly, it is not particularly useful for ANY team in my opinion. Simply because there is not standard definition of “road stats.” Road schedules change based on whatever team you are on. It is not a consistent control, therefore not a good evaluator.
@hiflew, I think the eye test is underrated…. When evaluating Trevor Story, he certainly passes the “eye test”
Definitely. He’s not as naturally athletic as Tatis or Lindor, but he is a pure baseball player. Albeit one that swings and misses just a little too much.
This year away from Coors has been brutal. BA below 200 with sub 650 OPS. If he can be had for little more than picking up contract fine but would really prefer Frazier
True. Arenado is not hitting outside of Coors either. Just likely to go 30-100+. Keep eating that false narrative.
The problem is the Sox are godawful against good teams right now, I think even Hahn is asking himself is it worth it to move a bunch of guys for a rental if the whole team cannot perform well against teams they will likely see in the playoffs…
Just lost the series to Detroit.
@stymeedone
Congrats on the series win. At least you can look back on this season years from now and say the Tiggers took 2 of 3 from the Sox in July. Huge series win for your rebuild.
No shame in losing a close one to Tigger. With their pitching and AJ, and the way Detwa has played the last 2 months, the Sox will have a worthy rival in the next 3 to 5 years
Go for Adam Frazier. Just think he’s a better fit at this point. The White Sox are a good team. Just add another player or two (2nd Base, another reliever and possibly an outfielder) and a World Series is within reach. Nice to see the front office making some noise.
Rodriguez,Polanco In deal with Frazier. They can resign Story and theirs also DH/RF to share with Vaughn and Eaton.
The Sox are a good team, against their division.,. kinda (I mean they lost a series to the doormat Tigers). The Sox are horrible against good teams; a WS is not in reach, not this season, not with the way they have been playing so far this season..
Didn’t Tigers just sweep Astros too
And the Yankees earlier this year. Who you face is important, but so is when.
Agree on Frazier, but they already have slappy Madrigal. Maybe if they send Slappy back to the Pirates all will be well.
The White Sox aren’t trading Nick Madrigal for Adam Frazier. Frazier would be a nice replacement for Madrigal’s high contact bat for this season and into the playoffs. With his one year of additional arbitration control in 2022, the White Sox could have two high contact bats in a lineup that still whiffs too much. Frazier also adds a left-handed bat to a batting order that still leans heavily right-handed. Frazier could fill a role similar to what Whit Merrifield does on the Royals by manning an outfield spot next year while also providing injury insurance at 2B for Madrigal.
Madrigal is the better pure hitter of the two and figures to be a perennial contender for a batting title over his 5 remaining years of team control. He is also just 24 years old and 5 years younger. Why would the White Sox replace him with Frazier? I could easily envision a 2022 lineup with each of them surrounding leadoff man Tim Anderson, one hitting #2 and the other #9. That would give the White Sox 3 high BA bats with plus speed ahead of all their thumpers after the first inning.
Bottom line: Madrigal is not getting traded for any of these potential second baseman unless another major piece is added to a deal.
Maybe because Frazier isn’t a butthead
I think it’s a brilliant move. Judging by what they got for Arenado, Sox could probably get Story, Marquez, Zac Veen, and cash for Heuer.
Sox can afford to trade Heuer.
I vote for the trade scenario u propose!
They can have Slappy Madrigal too. Or perhaps some of Marshall / Foster / Fry
No no no. Arenado trade was really a huge salary dump. Same with return Cubs got for Darvish. This is a dump as well but only 1/3 seasons salary
for an impact player. Rockies will get an end of the first round pick using a QO if they keep him. The asking price will be a player of high prospect rating on the cusp or has already debuted in the majors. How much is an end of the first round pick worth to a team? The salary dump at trade deadline is 6 million. If a team does not get offered highly ranked prospect/s for pending free agents I’d expect the players to be retrained and issued a QO.
Take Slappy Madrigal. He’d qualify as high prospect rating + major league debut. What say you good salt of the earth Rockies fans. We square?
I think it makes a lot more sense for the White Sox to go after an Eduardo Escobar or an Adam Frazier type than Story. Story will cost quite a bit more, he hasn’t ever really played 2B as a major leaguer, and he’s in the midst of his worst season in several years. I’m also of the opinion that he is a bit of a Coors Field product, as his career splits away from home are pretty mediocre. Pay half as much for Escobar and probably get pretty much the same production as you would from Story the rest of the way, most likely.
Agree on everything, save that there have been articles detailing how when former Rockies’ players leave, their home OPS goes down while their road OPS usually goes up because they’re seeing more consistent hitting environments. The overall effect is down, but not so much that it’s alarming.
As for trade targets, I’d take Schoop instead. A little worse on defense, but they always have Mendick for a late-inning replacement. Like the D’backs, Tigers have no reason to keep him and he’s a better bat than Escobar, but Escobar wouldn’t be bad. I don’t care for the Frazier idea as much because he’s having a career year, so it feels like buying high; plus, they’d have to move him off his natural position to RF next year. Instead of 2B help, I’d rather they got a RF replacement. I know they won’t, but Haniger or S. Marte would look good out there, K. Marte even better.
Would you want Christian Yelich or Cody Bellinger for the right price? They too suck so far. So are they terrible too?
With down years, there’s a difference between a player’s walk year and a player with control. In a walk year, the kind of year they’re having makes a lot more difference. In the third year of a six-year deal, it mostly matters if there’s an underlying injury. Story’s a rental, so him having a bad season, while it doesn’t make him a bad player, does make him a less attractive target.
Sure always target players in the midst of their worst season ever.
Wondering who (on Sox 25 man roster) gets sent down or DFA’d if not involved in any trade that actually get’s done?
No one. Colorado, as dumb as they are, aren’t taking your washed up no name prospects when they can pick from any of 700 players instead.
It’s going to take a headliner or it won’t happen. And you’re crazy to write off story. He’s a great long term fit on the south side and best option to hit out of 2 hole for them than anyone available. Trade for him with the intention to resign. Give up vaugh or cease or mandrigal and be thrilled for it.
You can say it as many times as you want bot, the Rockies aren’t getting anything close to Vaughn or Madrigal for a Story rental. It just does not happen.
The Padres were once told by the Mets that they wouldn’t get anywhere near Syndergaard without giving up Gore and/or Tatis. Yet the Padres managed to get Clevinger, Snell, Musgrove AND Darvish without giving up either one. This will go the same way.
Why would the Sox overpay because the Cardinals underpaid? As for re-signing making the deal worth it, that’s senseless. They have Madrigal at 2B, his natural position (unlike Story), and team leader TA at SS. There’s not a long-term fit there. Even if there was, the potential of re-signing him doesn’t even out any trade because the Sox can just wait half a year and sign him then. If he’s traded to another team, they won’t even have to cough up a draft pick.
Benetti?
No one’s listening.
A good buy low move. Getting creative to fill 2b. (And provide insurance in case of an injury to Anderson).
Anderson has a ton more range than Story and one of the leaders of the team. He’d stay at SS and the new guy trying to acclimate would move to 2b. If Story showed he was the better SS, Anderson would move for the good of the team.
The rumors are showing the White Sox are looking to better the team this deadline in big moves not just at the margins.
The rumors are showing that the white sox front office leaks. An actual trade would show that they are trying to better their team. Leaks simply let other teams get involved, which means you have to increase your offer.
@stymeedone
You’re very confident the Sox were the team that leaked this, and not the Rockies. But let’s just blindly assume, so you can try to add a little meat to your weak argument.
Leaks of the White Sox interest in Story also provides leverage in pursuit of other players… what “other” teams are in the market for middle infielders? The Pirates, Rockies, and Diamondbacks might be the ones competing to sell
This. Place pressure on more desperate sellers. Especially as the Sox have slappy Madrigal coming back in 22.
The Sox will make a big move this deadline. Their window to win is now. They can’t let the great starting pitching they’ve gotten go to waste. No teams are selling right now as they try to get the best package they can.
The Chisox ‘great’ starting pitching is beginning to fall apart, in case you haven’t noticed or bothered paying attention. Keuchel and Giolito are not missing bats. They also are missing the strike zone move frequently, and their pitch counts are getting high, usually after four innings. Not a good sign.
With two all star SPs and an all star closer, my point is to go for improvements in the offense and bullpen now. If they are making deals, 2021 is as good a time as any with the intent to win a World Series. Like you said Gio and Dallas are #4 and 5 in the rotation and have track records to fix things. But they are in as good as shape rotation wise as any playoff team.
Giolito and Keuchel had a few bad starts in the last few weeks but that is expected to happen during a long season. The White Sox are hoping Keuchel does not exceed his innings these next two years where his fourth year option won’t be picked up. Giolito is no more than a number three guy in that pitching rotation where I would not mind if he is traded away to free a space for Kopech in that rotation and have money to keep either Rodon or Lynn or both of them around after this season.
@Dogbone
Yes, because it’s extremely rare for pitchers to have stretches like this during a 162-game season. The only sane explanation for this is they all need TJS.
Thank you for being the voice of reason, as always.
Their window to win is not just now. It’s just opening. And they could clearly resign Lance or Carlos with Michael and Garrett moving into the rotation and a fully healthy Eloy and Robert back
Pending free agent Javier Baez would also make a lot of sense since he was the Cubs starting 2B in deference to SS Addison Russell before the latter’s personal affairs messed up his MLB career. White Sox fans would prefer the bat of Trevor Story down the stretch but Baez might be more of a sure thing defensively at 2B and also comes with a lot more postseason experience including a World Series ring from 2016.
Baez is a selfish head case.
Forget about it.
Would destroy team chemistry.
Adam Frazier is still my personal preference for an upgrade at 2B in 2021 along with the fact that he has one year of arbitration control for 2022 which can make him useful to the White Sox beyond this season because of his versatility to play in the outfield. That said, I’d welcome any of Eduardo Escobar, Jonathan Schoop, Trevor Story or Javier Baez over the combination of Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick down the stretch and more importantly into the postseason. Baez one advantage over any of these other candidates is his experience in pennant races and the postseason. He is also the only player with a ring.
Besides, how much fun would it as a Chicago baseball fan to see Baez and Tim Anderson on the same field together as teammates? There has been a lot of bantering (some of it good natured, lol) between northside and southside fans regarding who has been the better SS during their young careers in Chicago. Both players are considered among the most athletic on any baseball field along with being hugely entertaining. They possess flare, charisma and are incredibly self-confident. You claim Baez is selfish but most of that is because you are a die-hard Sox fan who very much dislikes the Cubs. Fans on the other side have also said the same regarding Anderson. I think the two would get along famously and feed off of each other as the double play combo for the White Sox down the stretch and into a postseason that could reward TA7 with his first ring and Baez with his second before he hits free agency.
You also might appreciate Baez more when considering the personal family history he had with his sister Noely who passed from complications related to spina bifida and then compare it with the personal tragedy that befell Anderson when his best friend was gunned down a couple of years ago. Both players have dedicated their careers to those lost young individuals in their lives, not something I would consider to be ‘selfish’ acts.
True, Baez went through some challenges within the family and that needs to be acknowledged. But when it comes to baseball, this would not be a good move for the south sliders. Baez is selfish and undisciplined. He reached his high point with the Cubs about 2 years ago. Baez, like Kyle Schwarber may benefit from a change of scenery. I’d put Ian Happ in the same group. Again, the Sox pass on this one.
Depends if the Cubs sell off or not. Their recent slide and the Brewers recent winning streak has made that look like it has more of a chance of happening than it did two weeks ago. If the Cubs do become sellers, that will lower the price of Trevor Story and any other offensive guy because Baez,Bryant and Rizzo could all be traded.
Wonder if sheets and burger could be on the move in a trade for Story
NO
Don’t think both would be needed but at least one (or another top 10) and then a top 20.
Sheets *and* Burger, no. Sheets *or* Burger, potentially, but I hope not.
How about this? Forget second base for a moment……. Bryant, Rizzo are free agents after this year. Sox offer Sheets and Burger and Foster to Cubs for Bryant. Cubs are in rebuild. They need a first and third base man. Sox put Bryant in right, they won’t be able to sign him for long term but thats ok, Cespedes in coming in 2022, along with Eloy, Luis this year and Nick coming back in 2022. Leave Leury and Mendick at second for their defense. Go Sox!!!
I agree that OF is a bigger concern, but that’s an overpay for just a few months of Bryant.
Ha! Bryant will attract even less than Story. Matt Foster, a Blake Rutherford type and organizational depth. Or maybe just Slappy. He’d be the next Augie Medina/Ryan Theriot with his pesky ways.
I don’t see it. Especially with Nightengale’s name attached to this.
Still waiting on the Escobar deal to finalize, the one Nightengale said last week was about to happen.
Story is hitting .184 away from Coors. Neither he nor Anderson has played a game at 2b in 6 years, however they are supposed to fit them. Does not seem a great fit, but depends on what they would have to give up. I cannot see why they would trade much for him.
I hope they get somebody who is a better fit, and really, really hope they get 2 relievers rather than focusing on their position player issues. Their bullpen is pretty awful, I have zero confidence in half their relievers. It is a much bigger weakness right now that could end up being more important than having a weak hitting 2b.
If they do this, they will fall in love with what Story brings to their team. It could mean they re-shuffle their infield plans and do what they need to do to sign Story long-term. Madrigal is a definite pro but he will never offer what Story can.
History suggests that Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox will not do a $200M+ deal that signing Story would require, especially when they already have good, cheaper options at the positions Story would play (TA, Moncada, Madrigal). Spending money like that is just not something they have done.
I’m hoping they do open their purse strings up during this current “window of contention” but the spending should be on starting pitching (to re-sign/replace Lynn and/or Rodon this year and replace Keuchel the year after) and a longer-term solution for RF (it would be great if Cespedes quickly fills that role, but I’m not counting on it yet).
Why fo people keep saying this? The Sox have added a TON of payroll, and they still have room for more. This team is positioned to contend for YEARS to come, but Hahn knows they aren’t ready to win a WS without significant acquisitions via trade and/or free agency. By my estimate, they’re one BIG BAT and a bp arm or two away.
Acquiring a player that can’t hit on the road and then asking him to change to a position he has never played at the ML level in the middle of the season isn’t asking for a disaster…
The White Sox are interested in Adam Frazier, Eduardo Escobar and now Trevor Story? Seems like the White Sox will be busy this trade deadline.
But if I had to choose one to get traded to the White Sox, I would have to go with Eduardo Escobar since it seems the Diamondbacks are no where near competitive mode.
Yes I know the Rockies and Pirates are also far from being in any type of competitive form but I feel like the Rockies could get more for Story from another club and the same goes for Frazier.
Just my thoughts.
CWS will be attached to every rumor from here to the trade deadline. When all is said and done I hope it more pitching.
The Sox need more offense, not pitching.
A righty reliever would be welcome, but OF and 2B are definitely bigger issues.
This has to be one of the dumbest rumors ever but don’t put anything extremely stupid past the White Sox lol. As a Rockies fan though idc I just want 2 to 3 quality prospects back for him.
@rhillmer
Absolutely don’t put anything extremely stupid past the White Sox. That’s why the White Sox are now a playoff contender and there’s no chance in the foreseeable future that the Rockies are going to the playoffs.
I have nothing against the Rockies, I don’t follow them very closely. I’m just surprised a Rockies fan would be talking that much smack about a team that hasn’t been relevant for a long time until recently.
Probably one of those guys who doesn’t really follow the Sox at all and only knows about the Tatis, Jr. trade, and even then thinks they traded him when he was the #1 overall prospect in baseball instead of a lottery ticket that hit big.
It would take at least 4 players for the white Sox to get Story. The headline player would probably be Tim Anderson. The white sox would immediately improve at SS. I don’t think the white sox have the farm system to get story. 4 lower non ranked players won’t get it done.
@Billy Baggins
Then it’s a definite no for me on this trade. I’m not putting much thought on this rumor. Like I said above, I just don’t see it.
It seems like a weak rumor. The fit doesn’t seem like it’s there. Let’s see, get a player who doesn’t play 2B and either put him there or put the existing SS (who’s never played 2B) there. Especially if the cost of the return is high for a half-season rental. It doesn’t make much sense to me. I’ll be stunned if a Sox trade for Story actually happens.
That was my point. Even if it was a rumor. Story would probably want a massive extension and the white sox just don’t have the bread to give him 300mil for 12 years. They don’t have enough prospects either.
Bahahahahaha!!! Clearly, you’re an unbiased fan who would never have reason to completely undervalue Sox players. Sox wouldn’t trade TA for three months of Story straight up, not even close.
pretty sure every contending team would love to have Trevor Story. This is the Sox front office using its Nightengale shill in an attempt to get the DBacks and Pirates to drop the price on Escobar/Cabrera and Adam Frazier, I don’t think it’s going to work…
I wonder how much they pay Nightengale to drop these rumors. It’s clearly not doing his credibility as a reporter any good. I’m still ok rolling with Mendick at 2B because the defense is high-level at a premium position. I’d rather they plug their Eaton-sized hole in RF. Maybe the Marlins will be more interested in dealing S. Marte if he rejects their extension offer.
Tim Anderson is not inferior to Trevor Story. Maybe in past years at one point but Story has that added value to him by playing in Colorado. And Tim Anderson will be a White Sox player until Tim Anderson don’t want to anymore. It’s so hard to find White Sox fans that really do like the White Sox. The majority of Sox fans really don’t appreciate their own team. Story if acquired would move right into 2nd base position.
Uh you’re speaking on behalf of White Sox fans now? Do your caps still have the price tags on them from the 2010 Super Bowl clearance sale?
3 thoughts:
1- Rockies will f it up as their well…the Rockies
2- would he possibly and Moab like Tulo if traded to the jays to play 3rd
3- the pirates are overated
I don’t understand what you’re trying to say with thought 2. Agree one 1, don’t think anyone’s overrating the Pirates now. They are terrible, but with decent pieces. If they make good trades, that farm system could be restocked and shorten their rebuild by a few years. Fortunately for them, the NL Central is the easiest division to climb to the top in.
So many people on here are way overvaluing rentals. Seems to be a lot of Cubs’ and Rockies’ fans doing it, the Cubs’ fans presumably because they still think the Torres for Chapman trade was a great idea and that’s just the cost of a high-level rental, and the Rockies’ fans because….I can only assume they forget who owns the Rockies or they feel the FO is going to somehow make up for the extreme underpay they got in the Arenado deal.
The Sox are not giving up TA, Vaughn, Madrigal, or Kopech to get three months of Story. Sheets or Burger, maybe, but I hope not. Kelley, probably not. Especially since Story’s in a down year. I’m starting to feel like whatever illness Yankee fans have that cause them to massively overvalue their trade chips is contagious.