With Trevor Story still on the open market, there has been plenty of speculation about where (and how much, contract-wise) the All-Star will eventually land when the lockout is over. One of the larger factors in this discussion is whether or not a move to another position could be in the cards, should a team with an incumbent shortstop come calling about using Story as a second baseman, third baseman or perhaps even in the outfield.
From Story’s own perspective, however, he is focused on remaining at shortstop. According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, “from everything I’ve been told, Story doesn’t want to switch positions,” though Saunders does add the caveat that it’s possible “that could change” depending on Story’s next destination.
Given that Story has played only shortstop (and a handful of DH games) over his six big league seasons, it obviously isn’t surprising that he would prefer to remain at the position, and would want to exhaust all possibilities in remaining a shortstop before considering a move elsewhere on the diamond. As Story and his representatives at Excel Sports Management would undoubtedly point out, a position change isn’t even necessary since Story is still a top-tier defensive shortstop, with +9 Defensive Runs Saved and +3.1 UZR/150 in 2021.
While DRS and UZR/150 have generally been favorable towards Story, however, the Outs Above Average metric tells another tale. As per OAA, Story was a league-average shortstop in 2020 (0.0) and then quite subpar in 2021 (-7). Since many teams have their own in-house methods of defensive evaluation, there could be quite a bit of variance from a club to club basis on whether or not Story is still a good fit at shortstop. Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reported in December that some scouts feel Story is ultimately a better second option than a shortstop over the long term, due to concerns over his throwing arm.
Divish’s report came within the context of the Mariners’ known interest in Story, and given Seattle’s expressed desire to keep J.P. Crawford at shortstop, the M’s would be one of the teams eyeing Story at other positions. The Mariners did address their second base need by acquiring Adam Frazier prior to the lockout, but theoretically, Frazier could be moved to the outfield or into a super-utility role if the M’s did add Story or another second base-capable starter.
If Story insists on remaining at shortstop, his list of potential new teams will shrink to some extent, though there are still quite a few teams (i.e. the Astros, Twins, Angels, Phillies, Yankees, Nationals, Cubs) who have clear needs at shortstop or have been linked to this offseason’s busy shortstop market in one regard or another. It’s also possible that another team might make a position switch of their own to accommodate Story — for instance, the Red Sox were known to have some interest in Story’s services, and Story is a much better defensive shortstop than Xander Bogaerts. Since Bogaerts can opt out of his contract following the 2022 season, Boston might want to get an early jump on preparing for a post-Bogaerts roster.
As much as Story would naturally want to stay at shortstop, it can’t be ruled out that the market will ultimately make that decision for him. Story’s market is complicated by several factors — the draft pick compensation attached to him via his rejection of the Rockies’ qualifying offer, Carlos Correa’s presence as another major available shortstop, possible changes to baseball’s business model in the new CBA, the overall uncertainty of the lockout, and how wild the transactions frenzy will be when teams are finally allowed to make moves again. If the richest multi-year offers (MLBTR projected Story for six years and $126MM) are only coming from teams that want Story at another position, he might accept the move off shortstop if it’s his only path to a big payday.
On the flip side, Story might opt for something of a hedge in the form of a short-term position change. If he accepted a one-year deal to join a team as their new second baseman or third baseman, Story could re-enter the market next winter with the hopes of finally scoring that larger contract on the heels of a better platform year. It would be similar to Marcus Semien’s tactic of taking a one-year deal from the Blue Jays last offseason, enjoying a huge 2021 season, and then signing with the Rangers for seven years and $175MM. It should be noted that Semien didn’t actually return to being a shortstop, of course, as he’ll line up at second base again since Texas also signed Corey Seager.
Still, Story might prefer his luck next offseason in a free agent market that isn’t quite as loaded as this year for premium shortstop talent. The 2022-23 class does have such prominent names as Bogaerts (if he opts out), Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson, and theoretically Tim Anderson, though right now it seems very likely that the White Sox will exercise their $12.5MM club option on Anderson for 2023. As mentioned earlier, joining a team like Bogaerts’ Red Sox or even Turner’s Dodgers could be a possibility for Story if those teams feel they won’t be retaining their incumbent shortstops.
As the days without baseball grow longer, so do the spaces between periods and the next sentence.
This article was originally written on a typewriter, which is how long this lockout feels.
Story would be a bat boy or cheerleader if it paid him the most money, no way he’ll turn down a monster contract just to stay at SS.
And it’s funny how different statistics rate him on opposite ends of the defensive spectrum. Of course everyone’s own stat is the best, right? JAJAJAJA!
Defense is very difficult to measure, even moreso today with so much shifting.
That’s why the best test in my view is eyes and ears. Watch and discuss with your agent. Read how he did home and away, look at video, how shifting in CO was utilized, how it will be used with your team and most importantly, who you will surround him with. Jeter didn’t have to have great range with Cano, Tex and A-Rod around him in the infield during his last seasons.Would Bogaerts br viewed differently if he had a great 3bman, a steady combo at 2nd and a solid glove like Moreland again at first?
Cano and A-Rod didn’t help Jeter’s defense. It was still just awful. He stayed at SS because of his star power, not because of who played next to him.
Cosmo2, well said. Having good teammates can help the overall team defense, but Jeter and Bogaerts should not be viewed more favorably because their teammates helped cover up their deficiencies.
Also, I’m not sure who this agent is to discuss things with. Certainly not the player’s agent. That would be anything but an unbiased perspective.
I guess you two never watched the Yankees then. The range provided by Tex and Cano was the best I’ve ever seen and such allowed Jeter to cheat towards third a step or two. Tex and Keith Hernandez had the broadest range at first. Jeter really had no range then yet he was awarded a gold glove. Says everything to me. Bogaerts is not nearly as bad as metrics suggest he is. Once Pedro is got hurt, 2B has been a revolving door in Boston. At third, Devers is as bad as I’ve seen, on par with Butch Hobson.
dewey – “Jeter had no range then yet he was awarded a gold glove. Says everything to me.”
What does that say to you? To me it says his teammates covered for his deficiencies, voters back then lacked knowledge, and he didn’t deserve that Gold Glove
Then you never saw Roberto Alomar.
Alomar won 10 gold gloves to Cano’s 2.
Alomar is arguably the best fielding second baseman ever.
dewey – Stop making sense!
Exactly. The range if Tex and Cano covered for Jeter.
Of course I saw Alomar but he had Thome at first. I was talking combo Cano and Tex.
Never realized I was. Especially with autocorrect. Once Pedie got hurt, how many second basemen has Bogaerts played with? Between that and Devers at third, he’s had little help.
@deweybelongsinthehall
Well then Alomar had even better range than I imagined since he played in Toronto and Thome played in Cleveland. Alomar must have covered a serious amount of international ground.
Tony Fernandez won 5 gold gloves I believe and Alomar 10. I’m a yankee fan but don’t try to tell me the yankee infield covered ground like Fernandez and Alomar. They were amazing together.
Back in my day we indented the beginning of a new paragraph. How times change.
@antone
Back in my day we etched it into stone tablets.
Story’s defense declined in 2021 because his throwing arm was not healthy. If that was a one-time thing he can be a very good SS going forward. But if it’s a chronic problem he’d better learn to play 2B.
I might have no idea what I am talking about but it seems like guys who could sign a major contract are signing minor league deals. I imagine there is language or back room agreements these guys get a call up. Is it that the minor league deals are covered more or I am not crazy. The crazy part is not debatable if it is a way to sign tweeners sounds like a good idea.
I think we’re just paying more attention to MiLB deals.
It’s a short Story
Maybe. Hard to know, but there are some guys signing that make you wonder. But signing MiLB deals with a spring invite and an opt out date has been pretty common. Spring training is already delayed, but minor league camps will eventually open. That gives these guys a leg up in getting ready for the season and proving to their clubs they deserve a shot at the big club. so makes sense that some guys who might hold out for a MLB deal in a normal year might go ahead and sign an MiLB deal now.
If a team signs him to a long term contract he might not have a choice. The question for Story: Is how many more years can he continue to play shortstop? That remains to be seen. I can definitely see him playing shortstop for another 3 years. A nice player that any team would be happy to have.
I really would like Story on the Yanks.
Don’t care about Volpe, Peraza, et al. That can be worked out.
I like his combination of power, speed, durability, & defense. Particularly for this squad.
@Ducky Buckin Fent- I like Story on the Yankees also. Regardless of what he might be saying now, he would have no problem moving to another position when these prospects are ready. I can see him playing 3rd base or centerfield later on. Peraza could be ready to play shortstop later in the year, if he hits and plays defense at AAA. If not Story, could play shortstop in 2022.
Yeah, I took that to be about ’22, not necessarily down the road, too. But: the New York Yankees have an opening for a starting SS. As…well, everyone knows, uh?
But down the road – like you’ve been pointing out – he has the tools & athleticism to move.
Yeah, exactly Ducky, and with that overlay of Yankee stadium & his stats from ‘21 with +11 home runs? Yep, that’ll do.
As you said, the whole Volpe, Peraza, Arias, Vargas, Sweeney, every other minor league SS farmhand can be worked out IF & when they make it to the bigs. And even then, Story is still incredibly useful as a utility IF, or 2B, or 3B or whatever. He’s just useful, man.
Love Story, and if they acquire him and he tanks? Yeah, I’d take that on the chin because I believe in him that much for our squad as currently constructed, especially as opposed to…Simmons (eww).
Where do you find those overlays, Clip?
Story has grown on me. & yeah. None of those guys has done a thing in MLB. Hey, if one or two of them work out that’s one of those good “problems.”
Story fits this club really well.
I’d have to see what else happened before outright rejecting Simmons. But he certainly isn’t going to help the offense.
I forget where I originally saw it, but there have been a few renditions. Nonetheless, here’s a good one for comparisons on the stadium size/wall heights, etc. I’ll try to find the exact overlay with Yankee stadium that had the motion and colors and fancy stuff…It was back in November/December.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/trevor-story-…
Got it. Merci.
A couple of the young scofflaws on the board converted me to Savant from fangraphs. Still learning stuff over there. But I’ll figure it out.
See?
Ya taught a man to fish.
Lol, if you look at the field and scroll down it tells you expected HRs / ballpark. Look at Yankee stadium – 48!
One of the guys did one for dumb jocks like me, where it shows the HR streams from home plate out of the stadium and it was +11 on the season (because not every game is played at home). It was cool, but I can’t find it now. I’ll keep looking and if I come across it, I’ll repost it for ya.
I would not be making the assumption that a prospect is moving an all star like Story off of SS. He isn’t a rental and the prospects haven’t proven anything except at the minor league level.
We all hope they are studs but their ceiling may turn out to be Tyler wade lite. We don’t know yet.
We aren’t making the assumption he will move, rather citing the fact Cashman & co are dead set on Volpe, Peraza, & the rest of the farm playing SS for the foreseeable future…the point was that regardless of who they desire at SS, the other players (who may never even make to the big leagues, BTW) can shift wherever. Story, is just super athletic, so he could easily be moved to different positions successfully, plus he has the arm noddle thing going on.
Either way, to plan on guys who aren’t in the majors to fill arguably the most important position on the diamond, especially on a contending team, is borderline neglectful.
Yanks are a great fit for him. His road numbers are way below his Coors Field numbers but most of the NL West is extreme pitcher’s parks. Getting him in the the launching pad in NY with plenty of road games in HR friendly ballparks seems to have the least impact on his overall numbers.
That’s not really true about the NL West, it’s a pretty even balance if you look at the last 3 years for park factor across all teams. Traditionally it’s just SF and SD that are pitchers parks, but they’ve adjusted the way that they play so it’s less extreme.
If you look at 2021 for Statcast’s park factor, it was more hitter friendly. COL is #3, LAD was #6, AZ #12, SF #20 and SD #24.
HHJJ: Yeah, I agree, and an interesting point to Story’s hitting ability is also that his power did not suffer on the road, at all. In fact, he hit a few more home runs on the road than he did at home. To me, that another good indication that he would be a good fit inside Yankee stadium because he has the oppo power that’s not isolated to the thin air of Coors Field.
I like him, but then again, I always have, so I may be a bit biased there. Same deal for me with T. Turner. Always really liked Trea and I thought he was consistently underrated. I also thought it was a huge mistake for Cashman to pass him up because Turner fit so many needs for our roster.
The last thing the Yankees need is to spend that kind of money on a SS with the way their system is loaded with them. Story especially worries me with his splits. Yeah I get it the NL West is full of pitcher’s parks blah blah blah. His home and away splits are awful and I can see him struggling in NY and having to deal with major scrutiny. Matt Olson is the way to go for the Yankees. They don’t need to go big at SS right now and Olson fits the Yankee’s model for slugging first basemen with golden gloves. He’s a cornerstone player that could solidify that infield. Andrelton Simmons can be had so much cheaper and he could carry them to one of the youngsters. Teams don’t need to get 30 bombs out of every position especially not when it’s gonna cost them another $20 plus million a year. You can’t keep giving out these huge deals all the time it will just choke this team out.
Ducky, Volpe lives real near to where Derek Jeter’s parents used to live. I feel like there’s some good karma there.
It’s not like any of the SS guys are hanley Ramirez types, who had double clutch and little range issues at the position the entire time they played it, meanwhile insisting upon remaining there for years.
Story believe is one of the better with the glove on the market and probably had a good idea pre lockout who had interest. Doubt he just blabbed this out for nothing.
“Very likely”? Of course the Sox will pick up Tim Anderson’s option. He is a terrific ballplayer and one of the vocal leaders on the team.
Everyone thought Bauer would opt out after year two with the Dodgers. Not quite as likely now. Things happen. Nothing is for sure.
Are you implying that Tim Anderson is going to be accused of DV in the next 10 months?
he’s only saying that it, among other things, are possible. what if he tanks and has a 600 ops this year? will that option still be picked up? doubt it
I think they would still. TA is the type of player that will rebound IMO
we could all die if Yellowstone erupts tomorrow, so I guess you are right.
Agreed Stymeed –
People sometimes forget chaos theory. No matter what you think is going to happen…
“Life… uh… finds a way.”
I don’t see why Story would or should move. His money is as a SS who has power. If he was truly terrible at his position that would be one thing (think Frank Robinson telling Alfonso Soriano that his path to a big payday was moving from 2B where he was pretty awful to the OF, which Frank ended up being right). I don’t think Story gets a big mega deal but on a two year deal he could be a nice option
Story will play wherever he’s asked to play for the right contract. You think he’s going to leave money on the table to play SS? lol
He very well could.
He doesn’t really have a choice. Once he signs, unless his contract specifies he’s to play SS, he will play wherever the manager pencils him in. Look at T. Turner, Tatis Jr., Judge, and other superstars, they don’t really pick their position. Granted, any good manager wants him to be happy but not at the expense of the team if, for example, his arm turns to jelly and he can’t make the throw.
I think it would likely be implied before he signs a contract what position he would play. If he lets his agent negotiate a deal without some kind of clarification that would be foolish. That would be like him signing with the Giants and then being told he’s going to be the Catcher. That said, if he signs with a team that already has a SS (for which he is not an upgrade) i would hope he would be smart enough to realize that one has to change positions and its probably not the other guy
Baseball contracts do not stipulate what position a player is being signed for. Pitching contracts might have slightly different language than a position player contract but that’s about it. His agent can discuss his wishes with any new team but no team is going to sign or agree to anything binding that states Story will only play shortstop for his new team.
Once he signs his contract, his position, playing time and location in the batting order will be up to the manager. This is really a dumb message for Story to be putting out there. There are only 5-6 teams who are interested in signing him to begin with (unless he’ll sign a 1 year prove it deal). Way to potentially alienate some of those teams who might want him to play 2B. At the end of the day, he’s going to sign for the most years/money that is offered to him. It won’t make a difference at all if that team needs a SS or not.
They can, Dick Allen had a clause that said he couldn’t DH.
The contracts might not stipulate position, but teams have good reason to protect the perceived integrity of their club by honoring agreements and teams do discuss position and other aspects of the team’s operations during negotiations. The example of Semien in this article is a good one. On a one year deal, they weren’t going to move Bichette off short and asked Semien if not for SS, would he prefer 2B or 3B? He said 2B and so the team honored that and so did he. He signed with the understanding he would play 2B and even though he had to watch his double play partner fumble his way through learning SS he didn’t ever make any comments about deserving to be the SS. There was honesty and an agreement in place. The culture of your clubhouse could go really sideways if your front office isn’t honest. And while the manager does fill out the lineup card, I don’t think it is completely independent of the front office’s wishes for how players are to be used. I think it’s much more collaborative than that.
Then you’re not going succeed in this league. We need more versatile players who can pitch, play infield and outfield and save a few games.
Story to the Angels
I wouldn’t doubt it but I don’t want it. Looking at his road numbers doesn’t excite me. He’s a career .241/.310/.442 guy away from Coors.
Considering most NL West ballparks are similar to AL West ballparks in favoring pitchers, that doesn’t bode well.
Most players have worse road numbers.
How do you feel about Aaron Judge?
He can play SS in Minnesota for a long time.
This is Twins Territory!!!
Whoever signs Trevor Story will be very pleased.
Or not!
Yeah and Machado said he was only looking to play SS…
I’d like to see Story at 2b for the Giants, but not if he’s going to be a malcontent.
“from everything I’ve been told, Story doesn’t want to switch positions,” though Saunders does add the caveat that it’s possible “that could change” depending on Story’s next destination.”
===========================
I don’t even know how to process that sentence. Unless I am missing some sort of nuance, the writer is saying that Story has no interest in changing positions, unless the team he goes to needs him to change position.
It’s like saying I have no interest in drinking anything other than Becks this Sunday. Unless you have no Becks, and then I will drink whatever swill you have.
It should be obvious, but if he is willing to switch positions, then he is okay with a position change.
Joe – I have to disagree with you. A refined man such as yourself would never drink Natural Light, not even if you were alone in the middle of the Sahara Desert with just a 1986 Red Sox painters hat and an ice cold 6 pack of the stuff.
Fever – no one should ever drink Natty light…always go for Natty Ice.. same garbage taste but stronger so you don’t have to drink as many for the desired results.
Doesn’t your astute analysis depend on whether or not there is a RS/NYY game on TV?
To sum up: no position change but there could be a position change on a position change.
It’s a mistake to downplay the positional thing. He wants the biggest check, but he also thinks the biggest check is related to his position. He could certainly sign a long term deal with the idea that he’d move off short after a few years, but it would have to be a lot of money on an ultra-long contract to move him. Not everyone moves gracefully. Cal resisted it, but eventually moved. Jeter wouldn’t, and it cost.
So in the largest free agent shortstop market ever, where many holes have already been filled and the top guy still unsigned, the fifth best option on the market with no obvious fit at short publicly states he is unwilling to play another position?
His agent should fire him, he just killed whatever market he had left.
dissent – I think you’re being a tad bit dramatic there my friend. Only two teams have filled shortstop holes, the Tigers and Rangers. Plenty of other teams would love to have Story as their starting SS, including the Jays who should jump at the opportunity of moving Bo’s 20th-ranked glove off the position to make way for the 4th-best defensive SS in MLB.
This whole Simien experiment thing (that worked out well for him) is really going to far…..why…why would a stellar Gold Glove worthy SS, free agent, sign with anybody who wants to move him off of the only position he’s ever played…..his range, experience, positioning, and athletic ability will more than compensate defensively for any issues with his arm which by the way seems highly speculative…..Very probably, he will want a guarantee from a team that he will sign to be a SS and not a 2nd baseman, CF’er, or anything else…..smart guy!
I don’t think the Jays will go for Story, and I think it’s less likely they move their future MVP shortstop off the position, especially since his defense was top notch the last few months of his first full season.
There simply aren’t that many teams in the market for a SS. But even the teams that might be will use leverage or simply not pay when they know someone has no other options. The Yankees, for instance, might be amenable to signing Story to short and moving around their infield. But…if there’s not another team willing to give him 100 million dollars to play short, why wouldn’t they offer him a $5 million contract? He erased 15 of the 17 or so viable markets for him when he said he’s not playing another position. A statement like this works for the top of the market. Not regressing older players.
@sportingdissent
Future MVP
You actually live in Toronto don’t you?
No, I’m a White Sox fan. Kid can rake and has that elite speed/power combo that drives the higher war necessary to win MVPS.
Why do people use one year of defensive data like it’s the be all end all. defensive data needs to be aggravated over multiple years.
Anyone who watched the jays last year saw Bo struggle at the position for the first 2 months of the season. Mostly unforced errors and throwing issues related to timing. He then made an adjustment to always throw on the run( a la Tulo) and the second half he really settled down and was actually pretty decent.
Jays signing story and moving Bo to 2b is idiotic, he’s a redundant bat and doesn’t fill any holes or add diversity. A team who needs a SS, which there are a bunch left, will surely have a higher value assigned to him. Jays need another starter and another bullpen arm, story would be a bad use of remaining limited resources
I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t end up in Houston.
I thought he had < 5% chance of going to the Yankees. Now it is <1%.
Why? Who do they have that would necessitate playing Story at a different position?
He’s betting on one of the two Yankee SS prospects to take over in a couple years.
I wouldn’t take that bet, a bird in the hand …
I would like to see the cubs give him a 3yr $60M contract with an additional 3yr option for $65M with a $9M buyout. Gives cubs a legit ss, doesn’t lock them into a 10yr deal like Correa would and lets Hoerner develop into a super utility guy.
He won’t play got that.
That option need to be a lot more of that would EVER work
If he could get more than $125M/6 right now, why would he want a 3+3 deal for similar of less money?
That said, I find your suggestion very interesting, but I am thinking it should be more like $75M/3 + $84M/3, with a $15M buyout. The upside for Story would be $159M/6, which is probably higher than market. The downside is $90M/3, and still being only 32 years old.
The downside for the RS would be a $90M/3 for a decent, but not great SS. Expensive, but still good. The upside is that he performs like the AS that he’s been, and the RS would have him at $25M per, without the old-age risk that guys like Seager & Correa will have.
Why would someone move Story off SS? Sign a 2B for cheaper. Doesn’t have the arm for 3B.
It sounds like he has a noodle for an arm. He may be limited to 2B.
The arm is strong when it’s healthy. That’s where the question mark is. That and his tendency to occasionally lose focus and airmail a routine throw.
How do you pay this guy 150+ million dollars? 241/310/442 away from Coors.
an exceedingly good question
Monthly deposits into his account
The Twins should offer him a ridiculous amount of (he’d be a fool NOT to) money to play just one season for them at shortstop. Then Story could look for a long-term contract the following year when there will be more time and opportunity for him to find a long-term contract,
(It’s not like The Twins are spending any money on pitching at this point.)
This is Twins Territory!!
one thing you don’t do, and that is, play DH
Good, I don’t want the Mariners to give him the contract so if he doesn’t switch, he’s not an option.
So, Correa is too expensive
Bryant, isn’t a good 3B defender
Story, has never played 3B and doesn’t want to try.
Chapman, is going to cost a bunch of prospects.
I am starting to think Toro has found a job. For the money, I would give him the position and shop for a prospect to backfill the infield.
There are other options beyond Bryant/Story/Chapman and we know Seattle is looking for impact bats.
Duh
Yankees need to trade Torres and Voit in a package for Olson and then I’m willing to take my chances with Volpe and Peraza up the middle along with DJ. I would even consider trading Dominguez in a larger package if Yankees can somehow get both Olson and Chapman.
Brother, there’s no way they’re getting Olson & Chapman while keeping Volpe & Dominguez. It would literally drain the entire farm, imo.
I also think Torres/Voit will not be included in a trade with the A’s because they don’t want to pay anyone in arb years or even close. They want prospect-level talent by all accounts; so if they want Olson, it’ll be at least Peraza, Gil (or similar), & two-to-three more good prospects in NYY’s system. It’ll cost them a lot for sure.
If the story about NY keeping Peraza, Dominguez, & Volpe is true, I don’t see any way a trade for Olson comes to fruition.
@YankeeClipper
Exactly!!!!
Well, The Red Sox could ultimately sign Story, but they do have pressing needs in the OF and SP. Maybe they land Story, bring back Kike Hernández and sign a SP or 2. i.e. Kikuchi, Fiers or any other 3/4th Tier out there to round up he rotation. They can also try to flip Casa/Chavis on a deal for another OF like T.B Kiermier’s.
1.Hernández LF
2.Bogaerts 2B
3.Devers 3B
4.Martinez DH
5.Verdugo RF
6.Story SS
7.Dalbec 1B
8.Vazquez C
9.Bradley Jr./Kiermier CF
1.C.Sale
2.Eovaldi
3.Pivetta
4.Houck/Fiers/Kikuchi
5.Houck/Fiers/Kikuchi
Not too bad of a team and they don’t break the bank. Another option would be to just reply Jr. in CF and keep Casas and Chavis on the team and get them AB’s at 1B, COF and possibly DH/2B every now and then.
Chavis was already traded to Pittsburgh last season for Austin Davis. Zero chance Bloom gifts the Rays Casas for Kiermaier (which would actually be gifting them twice).
I don’t see the Sox going after either Kikuchi or Fiers since they already signed Rich Hill and Michael Wacha and I’m not sure either Kikuchi or Fiers is really an upgrade over either.
I don’t blame Story and I ultimately think he will sign as a SS, though he might not get the contract he was hoping for. Of course, a lot of that depends on getting this CBA thing done and who knows when that will be.
I think it more likely that Story gets what he’s looking for than Correa.
He will be the Pepsi delivery guy for the right amount of money. This is a real hoot.