Colorado Rockies

Trevor Story's days with the Colorado Rockies are likely numbered, but it appears he wants to go out with a bang.

Story committed to participating in the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby at Coors Field on Monday:

This will be Story's first time participating in the Home Run Derby. The two-time All-Star appears unlikely to make his third appearance in 2021, hitting just .254/.327/.443 with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in so far this season.

"Naturally, you know what the circumstances are," Story told reporters earlier this month. "Almost every year is a contract year. You're playing baseball on those terms—a lot. So this is not the first time. So I wouldn't say that there is added pressure. I just want to play better to help my teammates and play better to help win games."

However, it appears he plans on sticking around the Denver area for the festivities regardless.

Story, an impending free agent this winter, has been the subject of near-constant trade rumors. It seems almost like a foregone conclusion a contender will acquire him before the deadline, with the Rockies well out of contention and unlikely to pony up the massive salary necessary to keep him in Colorado.

As it stands, All-Star Weekend might be a sort of farewell for Story with the Rockies. He has been with the Rockies organization since being a first-round pick in 2011. He made his MLB debut in 2016. 

Colorado Rockies star Trevor Story has landed on the injured list with an elbow injury. 

The Rockies announced Saturday they have placed the two-time All-Star on the 10-day injured list with elbow inflammation. 

Story was removed from the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the New York Mets in the fourth inning.

The shortstop has been a bright spot for a Rockies season that hasn't gotten off to a strong start, which isn't what the team envisioned even after trading away star Nolan Arenado in the offseason. Colorado currently sits in fourth place in the NL West with a 19-32 record. 

But Story has picked up right where he left off after leading the league in triples (four) and stolen bases (15) in the shortened 2020 season. Through 50 games in 2021, the 28-year-old is hitting .255/.322/.424 with five homers and 23 RBI.

He is in the second year of a two-year deal, earning $18.5 million while staring down unrestricted free agency in 2022. 

If Story is forced to miss significant time, Brendan Rodgers will take over at shortstop. 

Toronto Blue Jays star George Springer and Colorado Rockies star Trevor Story are donating $150,000 to the Perfect Game Cares Foundation.

The money will be put toward "programs that will combat the systemic barriers that many Black youth athletes and underprivileged youth face."

Perfect Game, which was originally launched in 1993 to help grow amateur baseball at all levels, began its charitable foundation in 2003. 

The aims of Perfect Game Cares extend beyond baseball. Executive director Jennifer Ford said the foundation raised more than $500,000 in 2020, which went toward pediatric cancer patients and children from underserved areas.

The donation by Springer and Story focuses on what has been a longstanding issue within youth baseball.

Washington Nationals first baseman Josh bell told Al Jazeera America's Ray Glier in 2014 he believed more and more children were being priced out of the sport.

"Baseball is one of those sports that is really expensive, and the showcases are starting earlier and earlier," he said. "The competition is getting stiffer, so the need for some sort of training outside of the hitting tee in the backyard comes more and more at an earlier age."

Writing for FanGraphs in 2018, Shakeia Taylor explained how the issue tied into the wider lack of diversity across MLB.

In announcing his decision to opt out of the 2020 season, two-time All-Star Ian Desmond recounted how he had recently visited the Little League fields on which he played in Sarasota, Florida. He called the fields "run down" and "neglected."

Desmond went on to say he "felt the triumph of success" and "the love of others" through his days playing at the youth level.

"I got to experience that because it was a place where baseball could be played by any kid who wanted it," he said. "It was there, it was affordable, and it was staffed by people who cared."

The Houston Astros may not have been the only team using technology to steal signs in the last few years—just the most effective at it. 

According to former catcher Erik Kratz, the Colorado Rockies may have also devised a system to use monitors near the dugout to help relay which pitches were coming with the help of a massage gun and a metal bench. 

Here's how Kratz, who played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, explained the scheme on YES Network's Curtain Call podcast on Friday (h/t/ Brendan Kuty of NJ Advanced Media): 

“And I can also tell you because I don’t care, I don’t really know anybody over there, the Colorado Rockies were doing the exact same thing in 2018, and we caught them, and we played them in the playoffs. Know how many runs they scored in a three-game playoff series in 2018? Not many people watched the NLDS. They scored two runs in the ninth inning of Game 2. They used to take a Theragun and bang it on their metal bench. And they were doing the exact same thing, from the TV. So, there you go. If you think no one else was doing it, you are wrong. The difference is, the Astros may have taken it a little too far. Maybe a little bit too far. Maybe continued to do it. Or maybe it’s just the fact that they won the World Series and everybody’s pissed about that.”

Despite the alleged cheating, Colorado didn't find much success against the Brewers in that Division Series. Milwaukee swept the Rockies, 3-0, giving up just two runs and 12 total hits with two shutouts. 

That same postseason the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox were implicated in a sign-stealing scandal that would—temporarily—cost manager Alex Cora his job. He served a one-year suspension and was hired back the following year. 

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has taken steps to scale back the use of technology in the dugouts over the last two years, but it seems players like Kratz aren't ready to let go of the schemes various clubs devised to get an edge. 

It doesn't matter whether the alleged perpetrators wound up winning the World Series or not. 

Colton Welker, the 11th-ranked prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization, was suspended 80 games by MLB on Thursday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

The Associated Press reported Friday the Rockies said they were "disappointed" by the news and also provided a statement from Welker:

"I want to make it very clear that I have never willingly nor intentionally ingested any substance to enhance my athletic performance. Given the information provided to me by the players' association and laboratory, the amount detected was so minimal that it would have no effect on enhancing my performance.

"I understand that a number of other players, like me, have tested positive for this metabolite at microscopic levels, and I intend to join them in seeking answers as to how this is happening in order to clear my name."

The AP noted Welker, whose suspension is without pay, tested positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, which is a form of anabolic-androgenic steroid.

Welker was a fourth-round pick of the Rockies in the 2016 MLB draft. The third baseman spent the first four years playing in the club's minor league system across four different levels. The minors' 2020 campaign was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 23-year-old Florida native enjoyed a strong spring training this year with a .362 batting average, .945 OPS, two home runs and 12 runs batted in across 28 appearances.

He couldn't crack the club's 26-man roster, however, and was set to start the season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes before the suspension.

In March, Welker credited his 10-pound weight loss, leaner frame and overall spring success on a new carb-free diet.

"I think I can perform at that [major league] level," he said at the time. "I feel confident pretty much against anyone right now."

Welker would have likely been high on the Rockies' call-up list if they suffered infield injuries in the coming weeks. That role now falls to Eric Stamets.

The prized prospect will be eligible to return from his suspension in late July.

Colorado Rockies star Trevor Story exited early against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday after getting hit by a pitch in the top of the eighth.

Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reported that Story was hit on the index finger of his right hand by Chris Devenski and did not take the field for the bottom of the inning. He was 1-for-3 with a hit, run and two RBI in addition to the walk.

The Athletic's Nike Groke reported that early X-rays were clear of a fracture.

Alan Trejo moved to shortstop to fill the hole in the field, while Ryan McMahon went to second and Josh Fuentes entered the game at third base. The Rockies ended up falling to the Diamondbacks, 8-4.

Story, who survived an offseason that saw franchise star Nolan Arenado traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, has been a major piece of the Rockies infield since he made his MLB debut in 2016.

In 2020, he slashed .289/.355/.519 with 15 stolen bases, the most in the National League. He brought that success into the early parts of 2021, with a .283/.336/.495 slash line and 16 RBI.

General manager Jeff Bridich acknowledged Story's contributions in February, saying that the Rockies "certainly cherish having Trevor as our shortstop."

A first-round pick (No. 45 overall) by the Rockies out of high school in 2011, Story will earn $17.5 million in base salary this season.

The Colorado Rockies announced Monday that executive vice president and general manager Jeff Bridich was resigning, effective immediately, and Greg Feasel was being promoted to club president and CEO. 

The team's full statement follows:

Bridich released a statement of his own:

Bridich, 43, was in his seventh season as the Rockies general manager. Under his watch, the Rockies reached the postseason twice and had just two winning seasons, and he came under serious heat this past season after trading away franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal that was widely panned around baseball given the Rockies' meager return. 

Here's how The Athletic's Jayson Stark described Bridich's reputation around baseball in February:

"We've been searching for just the right word to describe how the rest of baseball looks at the Rockies and their embattled general manager. But how about 'bewildered?' That seems to cover it. Here's one rival exec's all too typical take: 'Nothing personal, but I have no idea how Jeff has kept his job. When you piss off your best player, then you have to push him out the door because he's pissed off and then you also pay the team you're trading him to $50 million to take him, it's hard to think of anywhere else that wouldn't get you fired ... I don't get it."

It's likely, however, that Bridich was in his last season with the team and knew it:

Given the limited success the Rockies had under Bridich's watch, the Arenado trade and the team's 8-13 start to this season, it's unlikely many Rockies fans are viewing Monday as a sad day. Bridich had likely worn out his welcome in Colorado. 

The Colorado Rockies reportedly aren't expected to sign All-Star shortstop Trevor Story to a contract extension "anytime soon."

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported Tuesday the Rockies don't currently have the budget flexibility to make an offer to Story, who can become a free agent after the 2021 season.

The 28-year-old Texas native burst on to the scene with 27 home runs in just 97 appearances during his 2016 rookie season, and he really hasn't stopped slugging ever since.

Story has posted a .277/.343/.535 triple-slash line with 134 homers and 80 stolen bases in 603 regular-season games over the past five years. His 17.9 WAR over that time span ranks fifth among MLB shortstops, per FanGraphs.

He explained when spring training got underway last week that he's focused on the upcoming season, not his contract situation.

"I'm focused on personally being the best teammate I can be," Story told reporters. "I try not to look too far ahead. I'm trying to be where my feet are, which is right here in spring training with the Rockies."

He'll carry an even larger offensive burden for Colorado in 2021 after standout third baseman Nolan Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals during the offseason.

If the Rockies' financial outlook in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't improve by July and a lucrative, long-term extension isn't feasible, the question becomes whether the front office becomes aggressive in  trying to trade Story to a contender before he can hit the free-agent market.

Colorado was able to obtain four prospects and 27-year-old left-hander Austin Gomber, who posted a 1.86 ERA in 14 appearances (four starts) last season, for Arenado and could further bolster the depth in its system with a Story blockbuster before the July 31 deadline.

Whether the Rockies are still in playoff contention as that date moves closer will also be a factor. The team was 26-34 last year, finishing fourth in the NL West.

Story and Co. open the 2021 campaign April 1 against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

For the second year in a row, the Colorado Rockies will be without outfielder Ian Desmond, who announced Sunday he would opt out of the 2021 season.

"For now, I've decided to opt out of the 2021 season," Desmond wrote in an Instagram story (h/t ESPN). "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."

The 35-year-old also sat out the 2020 season, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and frustration about racism following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, according to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. 

Desmond would have made $8 million for the 2021 campaign, a year after forgoing what would have been $5.56 million of a prorated salary.

Regarding his future, the Rockies have a $15 million option on the veteran for 2022 or can buy him out of his deal for $2 million.

"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," Desmond wrote. "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."

In his last season, Desmond hit .255 with 20 home runs through 140 outings in 2019.

A two-time All-Star, Desmond spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Washington Nationals and had a yearlong stint with the Texas Rangers before he joined the Rockies in 2017.

When he opted out in 2020, Desmond, who is biracial, wrote he intended to care for his family, including his wife Chelsey, who was pregnant with their fifth child, while working to revive the Little League program in his native Sarasota, Florida. 

"It's what I can do, in the scheme of so much," he wrote last summer (h/t NBC Sports Washington). "So, I am."

The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs discussed a third baseman swap featuring Nolan Arenado and Kris Bryant last offseason, but Colorado didn't make the move because of concerns about the financial commitment involved.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic provided the report Saturday:

"The clubs spoke at length, but sources said the Rockies were unwilling to take on any financial commitment beyond Bryant's remaining two years of club control, which at the time figured to be worth about $40 million in arbitration.

"The Cubs initially broached the idea of including outfielder Jason Heyward, who was owed $86 million over four years, to further defray the obligation to Arenado, who was still owed $225 million over seven. But the talks failed to progress, amounting to a what-might-have-been for the Cubs, particularly with Arenado now joining their biggest rival."

The Rockies traded Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals for left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber and four minor leaguers in infielers Elehuris Montero and Mateo Gil and right-handed pitchers Tony Locey and Jake Sommers.

Rosenthal provided some MLB executive takes on the swap.

"Rival executives remain baffled by the deal, in which the Rockies sent Arenado and $51 million to the Cardinals for left-hander Austin Gomber and four minor leaguers, only one of whom, infielder Elehuris Montero, was in Keith Law's top 15 for St. Louis entering the 2020 season."

Receiving Bryant in return likely would have netted the Rockies a greater value for trading one of the game's best players, even if Arenado had a down year at the dish in 2020 with a career-low .253 batting average and a .738 OPS.

Bryant had his own struggles with just four home runs, 11 RBI, a .206 batting average and .644 OPS.

However, he's entering his age-29 season, and his first five MLB campaigns included three All-Star appearances, a World Series title and a National League MVP award, so he's capable of far better than what he showed during the truncated 2020 season.

The two third basemen could be seeing a lot more of each other in 2021 if Bryant stays in Chicago, with Arenado a member of the NL Central.

The Cardinals should be the clear division favorites heading into the year. The Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are the likely top two contenders to knock the Cards from that perch.