Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies can take some solace knowing they took a step toward keeping shortstop Trevor Story.

Colorado will offer the 28-year-old an $18.4 million qualifying offer, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Story will have until Nov. 17 to decide if he wants to accept or reject the one-year tender.

If Story rejects the offer, he could still potentially re-sign with Colorado. The team would receive draft-pick compensation if he signs with another club in free agency.

This means there is at least interest from the Rockies when it comes to keeping one of their franchise cornerstones after trading Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the 2021 campaign. Story expressed disappointment at the time.

"Nolan's one of my best friends, baseball aside, so this hurts," he said of the trade, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "He's the best third baseman in the game. I'm sad and a little frustrated to be honest. All I can do is focus on playing the best baseball I can for my teammates and the fans. They deserve it."

Playing the best baseball he could helped Story quickly establish himself as one of the best infielders in the league.

He slashed .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs and 75 RBI during the 2021 campaign and is a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. Power has never been an issue with Story, as he launched 37 home runs in 2018 and 35 home runs in 2019.

Story even hit 27 home runs when he played just 97 games as a rookie in 2016.

He is more than just a power hitter, though, as evidenced by his .291 batting average in 2018 and .294 batting average in 2019. He is also an excellent fielder and is responsible for 69 defensive runs saved above average during his career, per FanGraphs.

The shortstop also brings plenty of speed on the basepaths with three seasons of 20 or more steals and a league-high 15 during the shortened 2020 campaign.

Story is a multi-tool star in the middle of his prime. The Rockies took a step toward keeping him on the roster even if they no longer have Arenado.

Now that the Atlanta Braves have been crowned World Series champions, teams are gearing up to make moves on the open market, and the 2021 free-agent class is loaded.  

However, there's going to be some competition for MLB's most prominent stars. Regardless, let's take a look at the latest rumors regarding outfielder Nick Castellanos, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. 

Rockies targeting All-Star OF Nick Castellanos?

The Colorado Rockies are interested in adding to their outfield this winter, and Nick Castellanos is among the players the club is reportedly targeting, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. Michael Conforto and Starling Marte are also on their list. 

The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday that Castellanos exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent this offseason. He had two years and $34 million remaining on his four-year, $64 million deal.

Castellanos is coming off one of his best seasons in MLB. He hit .309/.362/.576 with a career-high 34 home runs and 100 RBI in 138 games. 

Aside from Charlie Blackmon, who has spent his entire 11-year career in Colorado, the Rockies lack star power in the outfield. During the 2021 campaign, the club relied on Raimel Tapia, Yonathan Daza, Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard in the outfield. 

While Blackmon played most of the 2021 season in right field, he could shift to left or center in 2022 if the Rockies were to acquire Castellanos, who is primarily a right fielder. Also, with MLB likely to implement a universal designated hitter next season, either Blackmon or Castellanos could serve that position. 

However, the Rockies will face tough competition for the 29-year-old. The Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs have also reportedly been linked to the star outfielder, which means a bidding war could be on tap. 

Yankees looking for improvements at several positions?

The New York Yankees are reportedly looking for upgrades at catcher and in center field, according to Bowden. The Bronx Bombers are also reportedly interested in adding a starting pitcher. 

The Yankees could absolutely use help at catcher after inconsistent seasons from Gary Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka. Sanchez slashed .204/.307/.423 with 23 home runs and 54 RBI in 2021. He also remains a defensive liability. Higashioka was even worse, hitting .181/.246/.389 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI. 

Sanchez has popped up in trade rumors in each of the last four seasons, and New York's desire to upgrade at the position has been known for a long time. However, it's unclear which players the Yankees might be targeting. 

Yan Gomes, Martin Maldonado, Stephen Vogt and Sandy Leon are among the catchers currently headed for free agency. Christian Vazquez, Mike Zunino and Roberto Perez could hit the open market if their club options are declined. 

As for center field, the Yankees could use an upgrade from Brett Gardner, who is far removed from his 2017 21-homer season. During the 2021 season, he hit .222/.327/.362 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI. 

New York also used Aaron Judge and Tyler Wade in CF at points last season. 

Ian Desmond, Starling Marte and Kevin Pillar are among the centerfielders available on the open market. However, it's unclear if the Yankees are interested. 

The Yankees actually had one of the better pitching staffs in 2021, with a 3.74 ERA, which was sixth-best in baseball. However, they could use depth behind Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery, with Corey Kluber entering free agency and Jameson Taillon recovering from an ankle injury. It's also important to mention that Luis Severino is an injury risk, which further jeopardizes New York's depth.  

There are several talented free-agent starting pitchers available, too, including Zack Grienke, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman. 

Red Sox focusing on bullpen depth, but in the market for a shortstop?

The Boston Red Sox will reportedly focus on improving their bullpen this winter, according to Bowden. However, they "also could be a sleeper in the shortstop market," Bowden adds. 

"Don't get me wrong, they love Xander Bogaerts," Bowden writes. "The thinking is they could sign a shortstop and move him to second base, or perhaps even consider moving Bogaerts there." 

The Red Sox bullpen was inconsistent throughout the 2021 season. It ranked eighth in strikeout percentage (25.6 percent) and 13th with a 3.99 ERA, according to The Boston Globe, but had the sixth-highest walk rate (10.8 percent) and seventh-worst WHIP (1.39). 

Boston could lose Garrett Richards, Adam Ottavino and Hansel Robles in free agency, while Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are among the relievers set to return. 

Regardless of who walks and who returns, the Red Sox have needed bullpen help for a while. Luckily, there are many talented relievers available, including Trevor Rosenthal, Andrew Miller, Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly and Brad Hand. 

Boston reportedly had its eyes on Hand, Alex Colome and Joakim Soria before the 2021 season. Colome and Soria will be free agents this winter.

As for shortstop, Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million deal in 2019, but he has the ability to opt out after the 2022 season, and he reportedly plans to do so, according to ESPN's Joon Lee. So, it's no surprise the team is interested in adding some insurance at the position.

The Red Sox have no shortage of options, either. Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Javier Baez and Andrelton Simmons are among the players set to hit the open market. However, they'll face some tough competition for any of those players. 

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has exercised the $21.3 million player option in his contract for the 2022 MLB season, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. 

Blackmon had quietly emerged as one of the National League's best hitters from 2016 through 2019. The Rockies rewarded his success with a six-year, $108 million contract extension in April 2018.

The 35-year-old Georgia Tech product posted a .314/.364/.576 triple-slash line with 32 home runs across 140 appearances in 2019. His .940 OPS ranked 11th in MLB among qualified hitters, per ESPN.

His numbers have since started to fade a bit. He compiled a .804 OPS with six homers in 59 games during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 campaign, and a .761 OPS in 2021.

"I just try to win every pitch," Blackmon told reporters in 2020. "I don't think real big picture. I don't think too far ahead. I just try to do the right thing for that pitch."

Blackmon's track record features four All-Star Game selections, two Silver Slugger Awards and a batting title from 2017 when he finished with a .331 average.

Blackmon's decision to exercise the option doesn't come as a major surprise since he may have struggled to receive an offer over $20 million on the open market after the downward trend in his numbers over the past two years.

He holds another player option for 2023, so he can attempt to put together a bounce-back campaign next year and then decide whether to test the free-agent waters.

He'll likely slot into the middle of the Rockies' lineup to open the 2022 season.

Outfielder Ian Desmond won't be returning to the Colorado Rockies. 

The team chose to decline the $15 million club option on his contract for the 2022 season, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman on Thursday.

The Rockies will pay Desmond a $2 million buyout. 

The 36-year-old opted out of the past two seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"For now, I've decided to opt out of the 2021 season," he wrote in February. "My desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball under these circumstances. I'm going to continue to train and watch how things unfold."

"I've let my teammates know, as well as the coaching staff and the front office, and they have all been extremely understanding and supportive," he added at the time. "I wish nothing but the best for the entire Rockies organization and have let them know I am willing to do whatever I can to help them from afar."

Desmond last played in 2019, hitting .255 with 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 64 runs and a .788 OPS. The absence of the two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner was a blow to a Rockies team that ultimately finished 74-87 and fourth in the loaded NL West. It was the 10th time in the past 12 seasons Colorado missed the playoffs. 

After two seasons without him in the fold, the Rockies ultimately decided to cut ties and create some wiggle room on their salary sheet.

Assuming Desmond returns to play next season, he should have some interest from teams seeking a power bat in the outfield. The Florida native slugged .479 in 2019 and hit at least 20 homers in six of his past eight seasons.  

The Colorado Rockies have reportedly agreed to an extension with first baseman C.J. Cron, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Cron's extension is worth $14.5 million over two seasons, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

The news comes as the team also agreed to a five-year extension with pitcher Antonio Senzatela, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Cron was set to become a free agent after signing a one-year, minor league contract with the Rockies in February. The 31-year-old came through with a career-high .281 average and .375 on-base percentage, adding 28 home runs and 92 RBI in 142 games.

Cron led the Rockies with a .905 OPS and represented one of the best values in baseball after making $1 million in 2021, per Spotrac. 

The veteran began his career with the Los Angeles Angels before bouncing around to four different teams in the past four years. He peaked with a 30-home run season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 and followed it up with 25 homers for the Minnesota Twins in 2019, but he couldn't secure a long-term deal in either location.

A move to the Detroit Tigers proved disastrous for Cron, who hit just .190 in 13 games before a season-ending knee injury.

After rebuilding his stock with the Rockies, the slugger is now in line for a better deal going into 2022.

Colorado still has work to do after a third straight losing season, but keeping Cron puts the squad on the right direction going forward.

The Colorado Rockies and starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela reportedly reached an agreement Tuesday on a five-year, $50.5 million contract extension through the 2026 MLB season.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported details of the deal, which includes a $14 million club option for 2027.

Senzatela posted a 4.42 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 28 starts for the Rockies in 2021.

The 26-year-old Venezuela native relies predominantly on a fastball, which he throws 56.1 percent of the time with an average velocity of 94.7 mph, per FanGraphs. While it doesn't register as a sinker, it's a pitch he usually tries to keep down in the zone to mitigate the impact of hitter-friendly Coors Field.

He also throws a slider, which is his out pitch, along with a changeup and cutter.

Senzatela is an old-school pitcher from the perspective he pitches to contact rather than trying to post high strikeout numbers. His 6.03 K/9 ratio would have been the second-lowest total in MLB in 2021 if he had enough innings to qualify, according to FanGraphs.

The right-hander has spent his entire career with the Rockies since getting called up in 2017. He's posted a lower ERA at home (4.65) than on the road (5.06) despite pitching at Coors.

In August, Senzatela agreed with Colorado manager Bud Black that further developing his changeup would help keep hitters more off balance.

"I think it's the next part of my game," he told reporters, adding he wasn't yet comfortable to rely heavily on the pitch in game situations.

The Rockies are clearly betting on his continued development with the lucrative extension.

Colorado, which missed the playoffs with a 74-87 record, also re-signed first baseman C.J. Cron on Tuesday as they start their 2022 roster-building process, per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network.

Trying to find a true ace to lead a rotation that features solid depth with Senzatela, German Marquez, Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber would be a major step in the right direction.

The Colorado Rockies have determined that an alleged racial slur heard in Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins was instead a fan calling out to the team's mascot, according to Steve Staeger of 9News.

The team provided an official statement on the matter Monday:

An update from the Colorado Rockies regarding the incident at the end of yesterday's game: pic.twitter.com/4cCS8peKnU

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 9, 2021

Microphones picked up what sounded like a fan yelling the N-word while Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson, who is Black, was at the plate. The team said in a statement after the game that it was investigating the incident:

A statement from the Colorado Rockies regarding the racial slur incident at the end of today's game: pic.twitter.com/85uN3f1pFZ

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 9, 2021

The team spoke to the fan in the question and determined the fan was yelling "Dinger," referring to the Rockies mascot.

While the Bally Sports Florida broadcast picked up the fan's yelling, none of the players heard it.

"Neither Lewis, nor any other Marlins on the field or in the dugout, heard what was shouted," Marlins spokesperson Jason Latimer told the Associated Press.

The Rockies condemned the apparent slur and noted that any use of derogatory language would result in ejection and a ban. MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark also released a statement:

Executive Director Tony Clark’s statement regarding the incident in today’s game between the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies: pic.twitter.com/xndcxGYAJC

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) August 9, 2021

The Rockies have identified the fan and believe the situation was a misunderstanding.

Dinger has been the club's mascot since 1994, Colorado's second year in the majors.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story had been one of the most discussed names on the trade market for months. A sinking Rockies team in an ultra-competitive National League West and his expiring contract made the 28-year-old a virtual lock to be moved at the deadline. 

Except that didn't happen. As Friday's MLB trade deadline passed, Story found himself staying put and isn't quite sure why. 

“I’m confused," Story told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "And I don’t have really anything good to say about the situation and how it unfolded."

Story was later scratched from Friday's lineup against the San Diego Padres.

Trevor Story was scratched from the Rockies lineup tonight in San Diego.

— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) July 31, 2021

While Story is having a notably down year at the plate, he's still slashing .240/.312/.429 with 13 home runs, 17 stolen bases and 48 RBI in 89 games. That's without much power around him in the Rockies lineup. 

Speaking to reporters after the deadline, interim general manager Bill Schmidt said the team wasn't impressed enough with offers for Story and chose to keep him in Colorado for the rest of the season, then deal with the fallout over the winter. 

"With what we were offered, we thought the [competitive balance] pick was better suited for us and we could have Trevor on our team for another two months," Schmidt said. "If [any deals] were close, we probably would've got to the finish line."

Schmidt also chose to take starter Jon Gray off the market because the team believes it can re-sign him this offseason. 

The Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and New York Mets were all reportedly interested in Story at various points before the deadline, but those clubs were able to fulfill their needs by trading with other clubs. 

Chicago acquired second baseman Cesar Hernandez from Cleveland, the Rays added Nelson Cruz and Jordan Luplow in separate deals, the Yankees pulled off blockbuster moves for Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo and the Mets acquired Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs. 

Notably, each of those teams gave up a number of highly-touted assets to make the deals happen, which only adds to the intrigue over what the Rockies turned down. 

In all likelihood, Story will not be on the Rockies after this season. The only difference now is he'll have to do it in free agency.

   

The New York Yankees remain interested in Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story ahead of Friday's 2021 MLB trade deadline despite their acquisition of slugger Joey Gallo from the Texas Rangers, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Even after Gallo, Yankees see room for Trevor Story. Also eyeing pitching upgrades. Thus far their trade deadline Is more interesting and productive than their season.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 29, 2021

SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday the Yanks' interest is contingent on not trading one of their top prospects, such as shortstop Anthony Volpe.

Story is a popular name leading up to the deadline. He can become a free agent at season's end with the conclusion of his two-year, $27.5 million contract, and the Rockies have faded out of playoff contention in the National League with a 44-58 record.

The 28-year-old's numbers are down this year, including a .741 OPS that would be a career low, but he was one of the most productive hitters in the NL over the previous three seasons. He compiled a .909 OPS with 83 home runs and 65 stolen bases in 361 games from 2018 through 2020.

Story said last week he'd heard the trade rumors but was doing his best do ignore the chatter.

"Obviously, I'm aware of the talk, but that's all out of my control, so it doesn't do me any good to think about that," he told reporters. "I'm just concentrating on playing baseball and helping my teammates. I think I have done a pretty good job of not breathing a lot of life into it."

If Story joins Gallo with the Yankees, it would help revitalize an offense that's been stuck in neutral. The Yanks rank 25th in MLB with 415 runs scored in 2021.

His arrival would lead to some lineup shuffling. Gleyber Torres would likely head to second base while DJ LeMahieu stays at first, even when Luke Voit returns from the injured list, which would make Rougned Odor the odd man out in the infield.

It's unclear whether a trade is possible if New York is unwilling to part with any of its best prospects. Colorado can get a compensation pick in the draft if Story leaves in free agency, so it doesn't have to force a trade.

That said, the Yankees, who are 2.5 games back in the AL wild-card race, showed they're focused on making a playoff push with the Gallo trade. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them get more aggressive on the Story front to further bolster their lineup.

The San Diego Padres were apparently looking within the National League West for a potential deal before they traded for Adam Frazier.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Padres "talked internally about trading for Trevor Story and putting him in center field" prior to acquiring Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin reported Pittsburgh landed outfielder Jack Suwinski and shortstop Tucupita Marcano in the deal, while ESPN's Kiley McDaniel noted pitcher Michell Miliano is headed to the Pirates as well.

Asking Story, who plays shortstop for the Colorado Rockies, to play center field in the spacious Petco Park would have been a risky move for the Padres, but they also would surely be far more interested in his bat than anything else in such a deal.

After all, the two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger is one of the best hitting shortstops in the league when he's at his best.

He launched 37 home runs in 2018 and 35 home runs in 2019, and entered the 2021 campaign with three straight seasons of batting .289 or higher. However, those numbers have taken somewhat of a dip this year, as he is slashing .242/.314/.427 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI.

Instead of Story, the Padres traded for Frazier.

The former Pirate was a first-time All-Star this season and leads the league with 125 hits. He is slashing .327/.392/.453 and was a rare bright spot for a struggling Pittsburgh club.

Frazier will now have an opportunity to compete for a playoff berth with the Padres and help anchor a strong lineup that already features Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. That stands in stark contrast to the 38-61 Pirates, who are in last place in the National League Central.