Colorado will have to get creative to hold onto shortstop Trevor Story
Q : Will we attempt to bring D. J. LeMahieu back to the Rockies? Also, will the Rockies keep Trevor Story?
— Michael Hall, Arvada
Patrick: Michael, I had read speculation that the Rockies might be interested in bringing LeMahieu back to Colorado if the Yankees choose not to re- sign him. So I checked around with those close to LeMahieu and I was told that while he’s keeping his options open, he doesn’t see the Rockies as a good fit for him. The bottom line: I would be shocked if LeMahieu returned.
New York Post baseball columnist Joel Sherman recently wrote about the Yankees’ chances of holding onto LeMahieu. Here’s part of what he wrote: “My suspicion is the Yankees will make the ($ 18.8 million) qualifying offer, see if LeMahieu accepts or almost certainly rejects, then make a lower- than- his- value offer — say three years at $ 48 million ($ 16 million per year toward the tax payroll) — and say 1) take this, 2) shop the market and see if anyone in this depressed environment will top that, or 3) while you are shopping, we also will be shopping and if we use the money we will pull the offer, so if this is where you truly want to play, then the money could evaporate to keep you here while you are out shopping.”
As for Story, who’s eligible to be a free agent after next season, the Rockies will have to get creative to hold onto him. Owner Dick Monfort has previously said that he wants to sign the shortstop to a long- term deal, but a deal would likely have to happen before the 2021 season begins. Baseball’s new financial landscape makes that difficult.
There is continued speculation that the Rockies will attempt to trade star third baseman Nolan Arenado, but his hefty contract ( he’s owed $ 35 million in 2021) makes a trade problematic. Story is owed $ 17.5 million next year and he’s two years younger than Arenado, so he would bring back more in return if the Rockies believe they need to retool.
I’m not dodging your question but I honestly don’t know if Story will play for the Rockies in 2021.
Q : Have you heard anything about how the Rockies’ fall instructional league is going? Since there was no minor league baseball this year, do you know how the Rockies are faring when playing other organizations in the instructional league? — Renee Dechert, Powell, Wyo.
Patrick: Hi Renee, that’s a great question because without a minor- league season there is an important five weeks for Rockies prospects.
What I do know is that there are 39 players in camp at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz., including outfielder Zac Veen ( Colorado’s top draft pick in 2020); top pitching prospect Ryan Rolison; first base prospect Michael Toglia ( Colorado’s top pick in 2019); switch- hitting corner infielder Colton Welker; and right- hander Riley Pint, the fourth overall player selected in the 2016 draft.
Farm director Zach Wilson told me that the instructional league has been going well. The players are staying at the team hotel and are pretty much isolated.
“I’m incredibly proud of how the guys have responded,” Wilson said. “Living in a hotel room for five weeks is not easy, but these guys have been all about baseball. They have been wearing their masks and following the safety protocols. They’ve done an amazing job.”