If there is one thing that the Colorado Rockies are good at, it is alienating their stars. They had managed to do that under the previous regime with Nolan Arenado, as they looked to trade him for over a year before paying the Cardinals to take him on. However, with a new front office, one would have to imagine that would change.
That was not the case. The Rockies mystifyingly did nothing at the trade deadline, infuriating Trevor Story so much that he pulled himself from the lineup on Friday.
Trevor Story, frustrated and confused, pulled himself from the lineup after Friday's trade deadline. And the Rockies have another isolated star: https://t.co/K4F4mG2jM5
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) August 1, 2021
Colorado Rockies lead league in alienating star players
It is understandable that Story is frustrated with the Rockies. He, and literally everyone else, expected that he would be traded. Instead, the franchise not only managed to alienate yet another star player, but also infuriated the rest of the league with their refusal to trade anyone.
For their part, the Rockies did attempt to explain their reasoning to Story. They reportedly gave him an idea as to what their big picture is, and how they want him to be a part of it. But that ship had sailed long ago; Story wants no part of being a member of the franchise any longer than he has to, and is likely counting down the days until the end of the season.
Story did not exactly do himself any favors with his performance this season. His .746 OPS is the lowest of his career, and he only has 13 homers and 21 doubles in his 379 plate appearances. It is possible that the Rockies did not get the type of return that they had hoped for.
But it is clear that Story wants out of Colorado immediately. His frustration and anger with the organization, even before they refused to trade him, were evident. Story had already rebuffed any extension offers, and will clearly refuse the Qualifying Offer the second it is made. It may not be a surprise if his future contract includes a no-trade clause to Colorado given the current level of animosity.
The Colorado Rockies have proven to be great at one thing no matter who runs the front office. They have a knack for alienating their star players.