Chicago White Sox can solve second base dilemma with Trevor Story
One of the prized free agent shortstops remaining on the market is former Colorado Rockies All-Star Trevor Story. However, once the current MLB lockout ends, he could be the answer for the Chicago White Sox at second base.
Could the Chicago White Sox sign Trevor Story to fill the team’s needs at second base?
There were plenty of rumors connecting the Chicago White Sox and Trevor Story before the 2021 MLB trade deadline. However, the Colorado Rockies chose to hang on to Story at the deadline and not trade him, instead keeping him for the rest of the campaign and extending him a qualifying offer this offseason, which he declined. If the White Sox were to sign Story (or any other player with a qualifying offer), it would cost the franchise their second-highest pick and and $500,000 of international signing bonus pool money.
Moving Story from shortstop to second base would indeed be a position switch for the two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger. However, there has been buzz that a move to second could happen as scouts have reportedly suggested that some of the arm issues Story dealt with last season could be mitigated with a shift over in the infield.
The 29-year-old Story continued to show his athleticism last season, finishing with 24 home runs and 20 stolen bases (marking the third time in his six-year career he has crossed the 20/20 barrier. He also became the seventh player in MLB history (joining Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Darryl Strawberry, Andruw Jones, Ryan Braun, and Mike Trout) to hit 150 homers and steal 100 bases in his first six seasons.
There will be a question of whether Story would agree to a position change. However, the White Sox present Story with a number of things he has said he is looking for in his new home during his time as a free agent, including a winning team. With the White Sox coming off an American League Central title in 2021 and second base one of the biggest areas of need on the team, Story and the Sox could be a very good fit.
Would the White Sox be willing to spend the money necessary to land Story with the team’s current payroll situation? Would Story be willing to move to second base? These are, of course, two big questions that would need to be answered. However, if an agreement could be worked out, Story coming to the White Sox would be a strong step toward the team defending its division title and potentially making a deeper postseason run in 2022.