3 Trevor Story trades Phillies should pursue with Rockies
By Matt Rappa
Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Phillies has been the second-highest spenders so far this offseason in free agency, dishing out more than $120 million. A large portion of that is attributed to the recent notable signings of catcher J.T. Realmuto, and right-handed reliever Archie Bradley.
While the onset of this offseason had most fans believing the Phillies would be “penny pinchers” — especially after not being willing to offer star shortstop Didi Gregorius a one-year qualifying offer — they have been anything but.
Signing Realmuto to five years and a record average annual value contract for catchers signals a continued commitment from ownership, particularly Managing Partner John Middleton, that winning a third World Series championship remains the organization’s top priority, sooner than later.
UPDATE, 12 p.m.: The Phillies re-signed Didi Gregorius on Saturday to a two-year, $28 million deal with deferred payments.
With Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, and others in their prime, now is the opportune time for the Phillies to capitalize on that. And with the shortstop position still up in the air for the 2021 season, there is a clear player the team should immediately pursue besides Gregorius. And, it’s not a free-agent, but rather a current player of the Colorado Rockies — Trevor Story.
Drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft out of high school in his Irving, Texas, hometown, Story has been one of the game’s most notable sluggers ever since his April 2016 debut. Spanning 603 career games (all with the Rockies), the 28-year-old has already hit 146 doubles, 22 triples, 134 home runs, and 375 RBI, all the while slashing an impressive .277/.343/.535 for a power hitter.
Given the Rockies recently traded future Hall of Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, they appear to be sellers and would be willing to consider Story trade proposals. Here are three that the Phillies should consider sending to the Rockies, in hopes to acquire the two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger.