The Chicago White Sox reportedly have interest in Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Here is how they can pull off a trade for him.
The Chicago White Sox entered the Fourth of July with a 49-33 record, giving them a six game lead over the Cleveland Indians for first place in the AL Central. The team has been hampered with injuries, and it appears they have their eyes set on an infielder weeks away from the trade deadline.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox “have serious interest” in Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. However, the Rockies reportedly are not going to trade Story to any team before the All-Star break.
The Rockies are likely waiting for the trade deadline to get closer so they can get better offers from teams in desperation. That is the wise move, especially with a player like Story who is set to become a free agent at season’s end. Here is how the White Sox can acquire Story.
Trevor Story’s contract details
As mentioned earlier, Story is set to be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. He is in the final season of his two-year, $27.5 million contract, where he earns a $17.5 million base salary, per Spotrac. This offseason, Story joins a crowded class of shortstops that include Javier Baez, Carlos Correa and Corey Seager, as they look to cash in like Francisco Lindor did with the New York Mets.
Entering Sunday, Story is slashing .255/.328/.445 while recording 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 39 runs scored and 67 hits through 71 games. As a shortstop this season, Story has a fielding percentage of .975 (seven errors in 281 chances).
What it would take for White Sox to acquire Trevor Story
The White Sox have interest in Story not to play him at shortstop, since that spot is currently manned by Tim Anderson. Rather, they want to move him to second base, per Nightengale, since the team lost Nick Madrigal for the season due to a hamstring injury.
Since Story will be hitting the open market at season’s end, we an officially rule out the White Sox trading their top two prospects in Jared Kelly and Yoelqui Cespedes. But what would the deal be exactly? Given that Story is 28-years-old and an impending free agent, the White Sox should get a deal done by trading a No. 3-5 prospect, a top-15 prospect and a top-20 prospect in exchange for Story.
While the Rockies are nowhere near as bad as the Arizona Diamondbacks, they are in no position to contend for a postseason berth this season. In that case, they should be heavy sellers to improve their farm system. And trading Story can help them do just that.