Trevor Story

What an A+ off-season for the Yankees would look like

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trevor story, new york yankees

If the New York Yankees want to have a successful off-season, general manager Brian Cashman has to be aggressive coming out of the lockout. Hal Steinbrenner instructed Cashman to wait patiently for the luxury tax threshold to reset during negotiations with the Players Union, which could affect their spending.

Before the lockout, teams spent over $1 billion on players on the market, leaving the Yankees in their dust as they scooped up the majority of talent. Nonetheless, there are still quality players available, notably Carlos Correa, Carlos Rodon, and Trevor Story. They could also set their sights on a player like Freddie Freeman if he’s willing to part ways with Atlanta after winning a championship this past season.

Let’s take a look at what an A+ off-season might look like for the Yankees, addressing multiple positions of concern.

An A+ off-season for the Yankees might look like this:

-Trevor Story

If the Yankees are looking for a stopgap at shortstop, Trevor Story could fit the bill perfectly over a two-year contract. Cashman has indicated they prefer to wait for Anthony Volpe to reach the majors, which will likely be in about two years. There are concerns with Story’s degrading arm strength, and if they overpay him a bit to settle on a short-term deal, The Yankees will get a solid offensive piece with power and a good defender to hold them over (moving him to 3rd on a long-term deal wouldn’t pan out).

Story had a down here in 2021 compared to his previous seasons. He hit .251 with 24 homers and a 23.4% strikeout rate. He still recorded a 3.5 WAR and 20 stolen bases, showcasing his athleticism. A two-year deal with a third-year club option would be ideal, but he would likely cost $20+ million per season over a contract of that length, which is necessary given the team’s weakness.

-Seiya Suzuki

The Yankees were one of Seiya Suzuki’s aggressive pursuers before the lockout, and they will likely continue chasing after his signature in the future. Suzuki has been compared to former Yankee Hideki Matsui, and their statistics coming out of Japan were eerily similar. Suzuki finished the 2021 season with a .317 average and 38 homers.

It is expected that Suzuki will land a deal in the five-year, $55 million range, and given his excessive power, the Yankees would have no problem paying him with the potential for massive upside. He would likely take over in right field, moving Aaron Judge to center, leaving Aaron Hicks in a reserve role.

-Carlos Rodon

At some point, the Yankees are going to have to spend on a starting pitcher, and they had $25 million on the table for Justin Verlander before the lockout. They could pursue an option by Carlos Rodon, who represents one of the better names on the market currently after the top pitchers were scooped up early on. Rodon posted a 2.37 ERA in 2021 over 132.2 innings.

Given his inconsistencies throughout his career, Rodon likely wouldn’t garner a long-term deal, but rather a short-term contract with incentives and an option if he performs well enough. The biggest difference for Rodon was his velocity last year, seeing a 3 mph increase with his fastball, which he used 58.6% of the time. With an increase in velocity and spin rate, Rodon has become an adequate starter and someone that could slot behind Gerrit Cole and provide the Yankees with more quality.

-Trade for Matt Olson

At some point, the Yankees need to understand that trading prospects for established players is a recipe for success. Considering they failed to develop Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino, utilizing some of their existing talents in the minor leagues could be useful to acquire a player like Matt Olson.

Olson is an incredible talent at 27-years-old. The Oakland Athletics still have team control over Olsen until 2024, giving him two more years of cost-efficient play at first base.

This past season, Olson hit .271 with 39 homers and a 16.8% strikeout rate. He took the jump to superstar, and injecting a lefty who can hit 40+ homers at Yankee Stadium into the lineup would be astronomical. Now, the deal would likely force the Yankees to part ways with some notable names, but a player like Olson gives your team a chance to compete offensively at a level beyond what we’ve seen the past few seasons.

Altogether, this grouping of players upgrades multiple spots of need for the Bombers and will undoubtedly put them in a position to make a run at the World Series in 2022.

How would you grade this prospective off-season? Comment here!

Yankees News and Rumors 12/15: Everything you need to know in one place

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New York Yankees, Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge locked down; now what?

The New York Yankees homegrown superstar Aaron Judge locked down his personal life with the marriage last weekend to Samantha Bracksieck in a tropical setting in Maui, Hawaii. The only question to be answered in his life is whether he will have a marriage with the Yankees.

The 2017 Rookie of the Year had his second-best year with the Yankees last season. He stayed healthy and basically carried the team on his back with consistently good play all season long. Judge has often been called the face of the Yankees and the face of baseball. But Judge will become a free agent after this season, and it’s time for the Yankees to make him a lifelong Yankee with a handsome contract extension.

Although the Yankees have been mostly quiet on the subject, they are well aware of the need to address the Judge situation sooner than later. Part of their delay in propping up the team pre-lockout could be because they need to see what monies will be available for their needs, including an extension for Judge. Once a new CBA can be reached, the Yankees will have to pounce on these needs quickly.

Appreciating Jordan Montgomery

Yankee pitcher Jordan Montgomery has gone under the radar the last few years but has been a mostly solid player for the Yankees. Over five seasons with the Yankees, one out for Tommy John surgery, he has a winning record. Monty has been their only constant in the pitching rotation throughout the period, with the loss of Luis Severino to surgery, CC Sabathia to retirement, seeing Masahiro Tanaka lost to Japan, and now the loss of 2 time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.

Montgomery is a good pitcher, although not flashy; he never enjoyed the hype of a Joba Chamberlain but has been solid for the Yankees. Montgomery’s career stats are not bad. 388 IP – 15.8 K-BB% – 1.27 WHIP – 3.90 FIP – 7.3 fWAR, which is nothing to sneeze at. Last season, he was 6-7 with an ERA of 3.83 in 30 games. That record is not representative of how he pitched; he got absolutely no run support in over half of his games. Montgomery could be big for the Yankees in 2022 in the third spot in the rotation.

Anthony Rizzo is enjoying free agency

At the trade deadline last season, the Yankees got the long-time Chicago Cub to replace the ailing Luke Voit at first base. Rizzo started out like a superstar for the Yankees, but his hitting cooled off. One thing that didn’t cool off was his defense at first base, the best since Mark Teixeira. So now Rizzo is a free agent for the first time in his baseball life, and he is enjoying it.

The Yankees, as of the lock-out, do not have a starting first baseman for the new season. They retained Luke Voit, but with his health, he is not the best option, nevertheless having him reduces the priority for the Yankees. Rizzo, meanwhile, has made it known that he likes New York and would like to stay here. Other names that have been mentioned for the Yankees to act on once the lock-out is over are Matt Olson and the best in the business, Freddie Freeman, among others.

Is Trevor Story a fit for the Yankees?

Even before the World Series was over, the Yankees announced that they would be spending money and that their number one priority was to sign a star-like shortstop. To date, that has not been done, with some ambiguity as to if the Yankees will do that or go the way of a stopgap purchase, waiting for either Anthony Volpe or Oswald Perzaza to become major league ready.

Several names the Yankees have been looking at are already gone. Corey Seager went to the Texas Rangers, and Marcus Semien went to the Angels. That leaves the big prize of Carlos Correa still unsigned. Correa is not the best fit for the Yankees because of a lingering mysterious back ailment and involvement in the Astros sign-stealing that could have cost the Yankees a World Series appearance.

There are other options, and one of them is a shortstop the Yankees have looked at previously; Trevor Story. Trevor Story remains an intriguing prospect for a team with a current need at SS but less of a need in the future. The Yankees once very high on Story seem to have soured on him somewhat. Nevertheless, they made a play for him at the trade deadline but could not come to an agreement with the Colorado Rockies.

Story had an unexpected down season in 2021; (.251/.329/.471/.801, 24 home runs, 75 RBIs). However, Story has solidified himself as one of the top offensive shortstops in the game, and he is not far from out of the headlights on the Yankee horizon.

Is a shortstop already in the system?

The New York Yankees could blow off the shortstop need and avoid spending money as they look for a number two starter for the pitching rotation, a first baseman, and help in center field. However, to do that, they would have to recognize how good Gio Urshela was replacing Gleyber Torres at short. Although a small sample, Urshela proved he can play the position to upgrade Torres.

Should the Yankees take the stopgap option, Urshela could slide in at short until Yankee prospects Anthony Volpe and Osward Perzara are ready for the big time. Last season in 28 games, he hit .267 with a better fielding percentage than at third base, his usual position. Urshela is not the perfect option for the Yankees, but for one year, it could work. With Torres penned in at second and moving DJ LeMahieu to third base, where he played adequately last season, that would let the Yankees concentrate on a long-term upgrade at first base.

Luke Voit; trade piece or first baseman?

Early in the post-season, the Yankees decided to hold onto first baseman Luke Voit. The question is, why? He is not a great defender at first and can’t seem to stay healthy. There are two answers to that question. They are going to concentrate on a new expensive shortstop, or they are holding onto Voit as a trade piece to fill one of the team’s needs, at short, in the outfield, or at first base.

With a questionable health record, in 2020, he led all of baseball with 22 home runs in the shortened season. But last season, he regressed playing in only 68 games, hitting .239 with only eleven home runs. He couldn’t stay healthy below the belt with foot and knee problems. There is no question that the Yankees are concerned about Voit and who will play at first base. The Yankees attempted to trade Voit before the trade deadline but were unsuccessful. The Yankees have several first-base options, including keeping DJ LeMahieu there. They also could resign Anthony Rizzo, get Olson, or go after the superstar Freddie Freeman. At his point, Voit does not seem like the best option as we advance.

 

Yankees would be taking huge risks with top shortstop free agents

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carlos correa, yankees

One way or another, the New York Yankees face a big problem this off-season regarding their vacant shortstop position. After the failed Gleyber Torres experiment, the Yankees tried to solve the spot in-season, even being linked to Trevor Story at the trade deadline. But after the front office “soured” on the possibility, they decided to wait until this free agency to make a decision.

General manager Brian Cashman remained patient before the lockout, allowing options like Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to sign with the Texas Rangers on massive contracts. While there are still a few solid options on the market, they come with their own risks, which will force the Yankees to think twice before offering a long-term contract.

Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish stated that Trevor Story might have to transition to second base in the near future due to arm concerns:

Most scouts believe that the 29-year-old Story would benefit from a shift to second base due to diminished arm strength. He’s dealt with elbow strains over the past few seasons and a shift to second base might reduce the overall wear and tear.

Theoretically, the Bombers could sign a Story to a shorter-term contract, but if he has serious arm concerns, the expectation of moving him to third base is likely off the table. With Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu capable of playing second, a stopgap until Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe are ready to take the jump could be ideal. Trevor represents a cost-efficient move, given the massive contract Correa is seeking.

However, Correa endured serious back problems last year, so a 10-year contract may end up being another Jacoby Ellsbury situation, which simply must be avoided at all costs.

ESPN’s Buster Olney indicated that Carlos Correa’s camp is withholding important injury information:

“There are questions about his lower back. He has gotten treatment for it…. Teams are saying they can only access his medical records if they make a ‘significant offer’ and teams are hesitant”

Cashman will have to find an upgrade at shortstop no matter what, but at this point, signs point toward a stopgap being the preferred strategy. Nonetheless, in one of the best shortstop markets in the past decade, missing out on the top option would certainly irk Yankee fans and management alike.

The shortstop the Yankees will likely end up with when it’s all said and done

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yankees, trevor story

The New York Yankees are in hot pursuit of a shortstop this off-season, but while some fans believe they will spend big bucks on Carlos Correa, it is unlikely general manager Brian Cashman goes that route. With several young prospects climbing the system, Correa simply will cost too much over a long period of time to justify his contract.

With that being the case, the Yankees have a few options on the free-agent market that could suffice, including Andrelton Simmons, but notably Trevor Story.

The Bombers were connected to Story at the trade deadline this past season, but they reportedly “soured” on him, sticking with their own talent to supplement deficiencies by Gleyber Torres.

Torres recorded 18 errors this past year, logging a .952 fielding percentage with -10 defensive runs saved above average. He became a significant liability at the most important infield position, which is why the Yankees are keen on replacing him with an upgrade.

The Yankees would get better signing Trevor Story, even if he’s not as splashy:

Story would represent a significant upgrade at SS, slashing .251/.329/.471 with 24 homers and 75 RBIs during the 2020-21 season. While most would agree this was a down season for the Colorado star infielder, he is just one year removed from hitting .289 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs in just 259 plate appearances.

It was just three years ago that he hit 35 homers in a season, and with short porches in Yankee Stadium, he could replicate that production. The thin air in Colorado undoubtedly helps hitters, but DJ LeMahieu made the transition smoothly and would likely have a few tips for his former teammate.

On defense, Story posted a .975 fielding percentage with 10 defensive runs saved above average, a 20 run differential compared to Torres. He allowed 14 errors over 1,175 innings, showcasing much-improved defense.

Given Story is an established player with a long list of statistical numbers to justify his value, Yankees will likely view him as a solution. In addition, he would be far cheaper than acquiring Correa on a 10-year deal, with a potential to move him to third base at some point in the future. Ultimately, Cashman’s plans heavily revolve around the development of Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza.

The 2 shortstops the Yankees need to pursue before it’s too late

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yankees, trevor story

The New York Yankees have found themselves in a peculiar situation as the free-agent market dwindles with talent. General manager Brian Cashman indicated they would be big spenders this off-season, going as far as to offer Justin Verlander a $25 million deal over one season. However, since that offer, the Yankees have been incredibly silent, waiting for some of the more prominent names to be plucked off the market before diving in headfirst.

There are only two players left that make sense for the Yankees, depending on their willingness to spend big money. With such a strong shortstop market this off-season, Cashman would be foolish not to grab one of the better options. They could settle for a lesser option like Andrelton Simmons of the Minnesota Twins, serving as a stopgap. However, the fans would prefer they go with a more lucrative player.

Two shortstops the Yankees need to make a run at:

1.) Carlos Correa

Of course, the top name on the list is Carlos Correa. Despite Correa’s scandalous nature with a Houston Astros, he’s one of the best shortstops in baseball and would serve as a long-term solution for the Bombers at a spot of weakness.

Correa hit .279 with 26 homers and 92 RBIs this past season, also featuring an 18.1% strikeout rate and 11.7% walk rate, the highest of his career. With a .485 slugging percentage and 134 wRC+, he has not only lived up to his potential as the first overall pick in 2012, but he also exceeded it.

The Astros’ star infielder is also an incredible defensive player, earning a .981 fielding percentage with 11 errors over 1,304 innings this past season. He would upgrade the shortstop spot for the Yankees 10 times over, but he will undoubtedly cost a pretty penny. With Corey Seager landing a 10 year, $325 million deal, Correa may land even higher than that, averaging out at $35-40 million per season.

Ultimately, Cashman still has Aaron Judge and his monster deal to think about, so signing Correa at that price point might be a bit overzealous.

2.) Trevor Story

If the Yankees want to pursue a cheaper option but a talented one nonetheless, Trevor Story could be a suitor. At 29-years-old, Story has spent six seasons with the Colorado Rockies, showcasing quality health over the course of his career. He hit .251 with 24 homers and 75 RBIs this past season but did feature at a 23.4% strikeout rate. Story is also a quality defender, posting a .975 fielding percentage with 14 errors. Correa is the better defensive piece, but Trevor is far more affordable and is still a quality hitter.

However, the concern is that Story won’t be able to replicate his statistics in Yankee stadium, given the thin air in Colorado, helping the ball travel a bit deeper. However, DJ LeMahieu didn’t skip a beat in his move to the Bronx, and he may advocate for the signing of Story, his former teammate.

Do you think the Yankees will sign Correa or Story? Comment here!

New York Yankees still in on Trevor Story even after acquiring Joey Gallo

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Yesterday, Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees finally did what the fans were begging for. They went out and made a big splash on the trade market. The Yankees agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers to acquire lefty slugger Joey Gallo.

The deal is still being finalized and has not been announced yet by either club. However, at this point, the only thing that’s being reviewed is medicals. The Yankees will get Gallo and reliever Joely Rodriguez for four prospects.

Mark Feinsand reported this morning that the Rangers will be paying most of Gallo’s remaining Salary. That gives the Yankees a little wiggle room to go out and make another deal before the deadline which they are planning on doing.

Most reporters were vocal about the fact that the Yankees were not done after acquiring Gallo. He was the big one in terms of the deals they wanted to get done, but the Yankees are still looking to upgrade the team.

Brian Cashman has apparently realized the drastic need to shakeup the club. The Yankees finally have a little momentum and it’s feeling good in Yankee Land right now. While I figured they would focus on pitching, they are apparently still in on a Colorado shortstop.

Yankees still going after Story?

Jon Heyman reported this morning that even after acquiring Joey Gallo, the bombers are still interested in bringing in Trevor Story. While Gallo is controlled through next season, Story will be a free agent after the season.

It’s worth noting that in the Gallo deal, the team didn’t give up a single top ten prospect to make the deal happen. With the Rangers paying most of Gallo’s salary, the Yankees have financial room and still have the best prospects in their system.

Those two things gives the bombers a ton of flexibility in terms of what they want to do next. I’m a bit surprised to hear that they’re still in on Story. It appears that the Yankees are on the warpath and are looking at all options to improve the club.

I was told yesterday and it was also reported that that Giants are serious players for Story. My hunch is that he ends up there, but the Yankees do like him and see him as a big improvement for the infield.

While the Yankees already completed a big deal, they are far from done. This should be a really fun winddown to the 2021 trade deadline.

Sound Off: Do you want the Yankees to get Trevor Story or should they focus on pitching?

New York Yankees: Yankee trade targets are quickly evaporating

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Could the New York Yankees pursue Max Scherzer in a trade?

The New York Yankees have made many inquiries ahead of the July 30, 4 pm deadline. So far, they have only brought right-hand pitcher Clay Holmes to the Yankees. So far, they have a net loss to the team struggling to hold on to a wild card slot. The Yankees had to deal shortstop Diego Castillo and Shortstop Hoy Park to Pirates for Holmes. So they have pretty well cleaned out their shortstop prospects for a not very good pitcher.

In a puzzling move, the New York Yankee front office announced that they had traded long-time long-haul reliever Luis Cessa to the Cincinnati Reds at the end of last night’s game. Also included in the trade was Justin Wilson, and they got back nothing except a player to be named later.

Cessa has been the go-to long reliever for the last two New York Yankee managers. In his eleven seasons, he has a 55-54 record and an ERA of 3.74, which is very good for a reliever that usually enters the game with runners on base and has to give the team several innings of long relief.

This season has been his best with the Yankees. The 29-year-old is inducing ground balls at a massive 56.8% clip this year. Statcast shows he’s been among the top twenty percent of pitchers in suppressing opponents’ average exit velocity, hard contact, and barrels. In 38 1/3 innings, this season he has earned a career-best 2.82 ERA.

The only explanation I can come up with to get rid of Cessa involves Justin Wilson, who has not pitched well for the Yankees; he has an ERA of 7.50 in 18 innings of work and a contract that costs the Yankees close to $3 million. This amounts to a Yankees salary dump; unfortunately, the Yankees lose Cessa in the deal. Yankee fans can only hope that the salary dump brings something good to the team later this week. It must have been quite a shock to Cessa, who has spent his last six years in the majors with the New York Yankees.

Max Scherzer

The New York Yankees really would have liked to have the Washington Nationals ace to follow Gerrit Cole in the rotation. Unfortunately for the Yankees, Scherzer, who has a no-trade clause, doesn’t have Yankee Stadium on his list for places he wants to pitch.

Joey Gallo

A few weeks ago, Joey Gallo seemed to be high on the list of Yankees trade targets. However, the heat on that conversation seems to have cooled the closer we get to the trade deadline. Gallo would have given the Yankees a solid middle of the lineup power hitter that has been healthy all season. The Yankees have also worked with the Rangers before in obtaining Rougie Odor.

Starling Marte

Most recently, Starling Marte of the Miami Marlins seemed to be the most likely trade target to fill the centerfield gap and provide a lefty in the lineup. Also, a plus was that the Yankees work well with the head of operations for the Marlins, Derek Jeter, but just today, the Marlins traded him to the Athletics for left-hander Jesús Luzardo. He is a lousy 6.87 ERA pitcher this season. So the Yankees really must have offered next to nothing to get Marte.

Trevor Story

Yankee hitter DJ LeMahieu is trying to push the Yankees to trade with the Colorado Rockies to get Trevor Story. The big question here is if the Yankees want to absorb the remainder of the $9 million half-season rental. He is a free agent after this season. But, possibly with Marte out of the picture, they may reconsider.

Max Kepler

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has reported that Cashman talks with the Minnesota Twins about several players. The Twins are 41-55 this season, 17 games behind in the AL Central. Several of the players that are being talked about are lefty outfielder Max Kepler. Kepler, in 62 games, has 12 home runs and a .217 batting average. In addition, Kepler has a good arm, is a good defender, and can play any outfield position well. The Yankees are also looking at Twins pitchers Jose Berrios and ex-Yankee Michael Pineda.

Kris Byant

The Chicago Cubs also has an outfielder that the Yankees may be interested in. Kris Bryant a 29-year old that can also play third base. He is a righty that is in the last year of his contract. His relationship with the Cubs has soured after losing a grievance and will likely not return to the Cubs.

Whit Merrifield blockbuster

This wild blockbuster trade will most likely not happen, but it makes sense for both teams. The Yankees acquire Whit Merrifield, former Red sox Andrew Benintendi and pitcher Josh Staumont from the Royals. The New York Yankees give up Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, and Michael King. Whitfield can play centerfield and in the infield. Benintendi would add a great left-hand bat to the lineup. Also, pitcher Josh Staumont is a better fit for Yankee Stadium the King is. The Kansas City Royals would really like to have Torres, and sweetening the deal with King and Andujar could make this deal done.

Kansas City sits at the bottom of the AL Central. At this point, the loss of Torres would not be a huge blow to the Yankees; Gold Glove like Gio Urshela has already proven he can play at short. Whit Merrifield is versatile and has great speed. He has also been one of the most productive players in the past few years. He seldom strikes out and hits for contact, very LeMahieu-like. Benintendi not only will add power to the Yankees lineup, but he can be a starter in left field.

Asher Wojciechowski

Along with Cessa and Wilson, the Yankees lost another pitcher. New York Yankees sent RHP Asher Wojciechowski outright to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Wojo instead opted for free agency.

Report: Yankees making push to land Rockies star shortstop

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yankees, trevor story

The New York Yankees already made a trade today, sending minor leaguers Hoy Park and Diego Castillo to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Clay Holmes. However, the team needs go well beyond a bullpen arm.

The Yankees need at least a top bat or two, and there are plenty available prior to the trade deadline: Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs, and perhaps Max Kepler, a left-handed outfielder who plays for the rebuilding Minnesota Twins.

However, at this point in time, the Yankees’ preferred target may be a former All-Star shortstop who, at 28, is still in his prime: Trevor Story. The soon-to-be free agent can reportedly be had via trade, as he hasn’t given any indications he wants to sign a long-term commitment to stay with the Colorado Rockies.

MLB Network’s insider Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees have already made an offer to the Rockies for Story’s services.

The Yankees already made an offer

“Yankees made a trade offer for Trevor Story. No evidence of any traction there at this point. Rockies haven’t definitively decided to trade him, though it would seem there’s a good chance they do.”

For the sake of their franchise, expect Colorado to move Story before the July 30 deadline. The shortstop will have plenty of suitors, however, and the Yankees will have plenty of competition if they want to land him.

“Brewers also have checked in on Trevor Story. Their Adames pickup has been the best in-season move but they seek another big bat. This would clearly qualify,” Heyman also wrote on his Twitter account.

There are several paths towards playing time for Story if he were to land on the Yankees. The most logical one has Gleyber Torres sliding over to second base and DJ LeMahieu picking up the majority of starts at first base, but there has also been talk about Story playing center field, provided he can make a smooth transition.

The talented infielder is having a somewhat disappointing season, hitting .242 with a .313 OBP and a .737 OPS. He does have 12 home runs, however, and would make for a fantastic addition to the Yankees’ struggling lineup.

 

Can the Yankees pull off a trade and bring Story to the fold?

Report: Yankees have checked in on star shortstop, could move Gleyber Torres back to 2B

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trevor story, new york yankees

As the New York Yankees consider making a move at the trade deadline, one name that has bubbled to the surface is Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. The 28-year-old right-handed batter stands at 6’2″ and 213 pounds, and currently has two years left on his contract, totaling $27.5 million. Averaging $13.8 million per season, the star defender is struggling this season in the batter’s box (by his own standards), hitting .243 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs. However, during the 2020 campaign, he hit .289 over 59 games, recording 11 homers and 28 RBIs.

There is no question he would bring a fantastic defensive element to a position that is currently a liability with Gleyber Torres featuring. While Torres has begun to hit more effectively, he has allowed 13 errors this season with a .956 fielding percentage, well below the league average of .973.

The Yankees have reportedly checked in on Story, and with big-time slugger Nelson Cruz being dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays, I wouldn’t rule out a potential deal between the Yankees and Rockies.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Yankees have checked in on Trevor Story as a potential trade target:

The Yankees are among the teams that have checked in on Trevor Story. Presumably, if they followed through, they’d move Gleyber Torres back to second base.
Reports have also indicated that the Bombers and general manager Brian Cashman are intrigued by Texas’ Joey Gallo, a player they have been keeping an eye on for quite some time. He offers more depth in the outfield and a big slugger to work with, but he primarily plays right field, where Aaron Judge resides. Solving the infield woes should be a priority, especially at the most important position, shortstop. Compared to Torres, Story has eight errors this season with a .976 fielding percentage, making him above average in the category.
The Yankees have a bit of time to spare as they seek reinforcements, and luckily, their depth players and minor-league affiliates have produced a spark with the starters struggling to remain healthy.

Should the New York Yankees try to acquire Trevor Story?

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The New York Yankees picked up a massive win last night that snapped a four-game losing streak. The bombers defeated the Rays in extras when Clint Frazier walked it off with a two-run bomb to give them a 5-3 victory.

The win last night had to be a confidence boost for the Yankees who had been playing God awful. If you think of any aspect of baseball since the final week of May, the Yankees have been awful at it. Well, maybe not pitching in a couple of games.

The one area the Yankees have struggled in the most is the fundamentals. Defense, base running, making contact to move runners and manufacture runs. Maybe I’m in the minority, but it almost doesn’t feel real that the Yankees are sitting at 30-25 in third place. It feels so much worse than that.

Trouble at Short

Arguably the most disappointing player has been Gleyber Torres. The Yankees shortstop has struggled with the bat and the glove this year. Now, his glove has improved by the numbers from last season, but that’s not saying much.

Last week, Torres had a game where he had two errors in a single inning. His power at the plate has completely disappeared over the last season as he now just has five home runs in his last 88 regular season games. Between 2018 and 2019, Torres averaged 20.4 home runs over the course of 88 games.

Now, Gleyber Torres is still young with a ton of promise. The Yankees shortstop doesn’t turn 25 until December, but it still appears clear to me that Torres is not a long-term solution at shortstop. He just doesn’t seem comfortable there and it translates to the rest of his game.

Should the Yankees call the Rockies?

With Torres’ continued struggles, many have speculated whether or not the Yankees should pursue another shortstop. There just so happens to be an all-star shortstop who will be available to acquire at this year’s deadline.

That shortstop is Trevor Story. Now, Story hasn’t had a fantastic year himself and he’s recently been on the IL win an elbow injury, but despite those two things, he’s still considered to be one of the best shortstops in the game.

The Yankees have been linked to him in the past and those talks could turn up again. I love Gleyber Torres, but I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that Trevor Story would be an upgrade at shortstop.

Story is a free agent at the end of the year. There’s no guarantee that the Yankees would resign him if they go out and acquire him. Would that scare them away from a potential deal? Well, it’s certainly a hurdle.

Another thing standing in the way would be the asking price. Considering the current state of the infield, the Yankees might have to offer Gleyber Torres to get the deal done. Jeff Passan alluded to this on ESPN recently. 

Would Brian Cashman give up on Gleyber Torres to acquire Trevor Story? I personally think he wouldn’t, but maybe he should. The next month will tell us a lot, but if Torres continues to struggle in the field and with power, don’t be shocked to see Story linked to the bombers more and more.