With the Colorado Rockies offering Nolan Arenado a mega-deal, where does that leave Trevor Story when it’s time for him to hit the market?
The Colorado Rockies gave Nolan Arenado a massive extension worth $260 million over eight. It’s the biggest contract AAV wise for a position player for the Rockies best player.
It’s a huge deal, but what does it mean for the rest of the Rockies players, specifically Trevor Story? He has three seasons left before he hits the market and will be making $5 million in 2019 at age 26. Arenado also made $5 million during his fourth season, which was his age 25 season.
Does this mean that there will be a huge pay raise for the next best Rockies infielder? Story has had a great career so far. Story’s 108 RBI’s in 2018 was just three shy of the National League best and his OPS was the highest among all eligible shortstops.
In 2018 he hit .291 with 37 home runs, 108 RBI’s, and .914 OPS. It’s not very often that you get a shortstop who can hit .290 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI’s. The only other shortstops who were able to reach that feat was Manny Machado in 2018 and Troy Tulowitzki in 2011.
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We all know how those guys turned out. That was Tulowitzki’s first season of a 10 year, $158 million deal and Machado recently signed a $300 million 10 year deal with the Padres.
With Story hitting free agency right when he turns 29, it’s not out of the question for him to get a similar contract, especially if he can keep up his power and work on bringing down his strikeout rate.
But what would be a Story worthy contract? Tulowitzki’s contract featured multiple $20 million seasons and Machado’s is a monster so it’s not out of the question for Story to get an AAV above $20 million.
Arenado may be the real star of the Rockies, but a healthy Story will be just as productive and vital to the future success of the team. If he can consistently hit .280 with 30 home runs, he should easily be able to get an eight-year deal worth $185-210 million.
If the Rockies were the ones to offer him this kind of deal, they would go a few seasons paying Arenado and Story a combined $55-60 million a year for an overpowered left side of the infield that can combine for 70+ home runs and 200 RBI’s.
Trevor Story would be a success outside of Coors Field as well. In 2018 he hit .276 on the road with 11 home runs, so the Colorado Rockies shouldn’t be the only one in on him.