Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies (Photo by Ian D'Andrea, via wikimedia).
What’s the story with Trevor Story? Is he available, and if he is, do the Seattle Mariners want him? PNWS writers Chris Phillips and Joe Swenson go head-to-head in our first-ever battle of the writers.
Chris Phillips: Trevor Story holds a special place in my heart. Should the Mariners consider trading for him? I don’t know what the package would be, but an infield of Kyle Seager, J.P. Crawford, Story, and Evan White. Tell me that doesn’t get you excited.
Joe Swenson: The cost for the soon-to-be free agent, Trevor Story, would definitely be steep. Especially for a team that has offensive weapons waiting in the wings. Also, is Seattle’s best defensive lineup to have Story at third base, or shortstop and move Crawford to second base, or have Story at 2nd base? We end up with some redundancy with Story.
Also, while Story has improved his strikeout rate so far this season, he’s been a 25 percent strikeout rate hitter every year of his career (except this year he’s at 22 percentage), including more than 165 times in his last three full seasons. The Mariners already swing and miss enough. Adding more strikeouts isn’t ideal.
Chris: Would Story’s price be steep? That’s what everyone thought about Nolan Arenado, and look how that turned out. In the end, Colorado helped pay Nolan to leave.
The Irving, Texas native is a regular Gold Glove contender who HITS. His strikeouts are a concern, but when they come with 25+ home runs and 80+ RBI a year, I can live with his strikeouts.
Everyone overlooked Story, including his own team. The Rockies drafted him, but they also drafted Brendan Rogers to be Troy Tulowitzki‘s replacement. When he got his shot, Story won the starting shortstop job and kept it ever since. Rodgers doesn’t look so great in the bigs either, although it is a small sample size.
Colorado has already shown they don’t know what they’re doing, and their star talent can be had at an affordable price. Might a Seager and Trammell offer be all it takes to acquire Story? Or maybe Taylor Trammell, Juan Then, and Tom Murphy?
All in all, (Mariners General Manager Jerry) Dipoto should make a call and kick the proverbial tires on a Story acquisition. If for nothing else, this would be a Storybook ending for me. (Ok, I’ll show myself out, now).
Joe: Trevor Story is a slightly younger, faster Kyle Seager away from Coors Field. His lifetime .249 average and .755 OPS away from the Rockies’ home field is not good. His career 679 OPS at T-Mobile Park is another reason that the Mariner’s shouldn’t pursue Trevor Story in any capacity.
The Mariners already own the second-highest strikeout percentage in Major League Baseball. Add in Story’s career 31.3 percent strikeout rate, and Seattle gets worse, not better, at a statistic that is infuriating to Mariners fans everywhere. Hopefully, White turns it around soon, but the M’s need help in the outfield.
Trammell isn’t the player that fans hoped he’d be; he’s not even close. Mitch Haniger and Kyle Lewis (off to a slow start) are a decent 1-2 punch. In limited action this season, Jake Fraley showed a great ability to get on base. Also, Sam Haggerty is much better than advertised, but outfield help is what the M’s need.
The Rockies know the value they have in Story, and it’s going to cost valuable prospects, not throwaways. Remember, Arenado demanded a trade. Colorado still got the Cardinals’ top pitching prospect and four other prospects. It was a good haul considering the Rockies weakened bargaining position.
Chris: Baseball has evolved into a game of three true outcomes, home run, walk, and strikeouts. Again, strikeouts suck, but it’s how they play the game is now. Batting .300 is becoming the exception instead of the goal.
@Joe Swenson, I’m glad you brought up Story’s stats away from Coors Field. Because to me, that is the biggest concern with Story coming here. Can he produce a T-Mobile Park?
Regarding the package the Cards gave for Arenado, I’d say it’s arguable about how good the players are. Austin Gomber was the best player, but even he is viewed as a middle rotation starter, if not a possible bullpen guy, from what I’ve seen.
Colorado seems to be a poorly run organization, it reminds me of how the M’s were run by Bill Bavasi and Jack Zduriencik. Now could be prime striking time for the Seattle Mariners to upgrade their offense and possibly their defense (depending on the package given to acquire him).
Joe: Trevor Story isn’t demanding a trade. That gives the Rockies more leverage, regardless of his performance. Sometimes a story is too good to be true, which is absolutely the case with Trevor Story.
Who do you think has the best take on Trevor Story, Chris, who thinks Story would be an asset to the Mariners’ infield, or Joe, who thinks Story should make like a mountain and stay in Colorado. Regardless, let us know what you think about Trevor Story in the comments.