SF Giants trade rumors: Trevor Story emerging as top target?

The SF Giants have been primarily tied to the starting pitching market in the leadup to this week’s MLB trade deadline, but the latest rumors suggest they could be targetting an impact bat. After San Francisco was tied to Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant over the last two days, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the market for Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story “has become more active in the last 24 hours,” and listed the New York Yankees and Giants among the interested teams.

Is Trevor Story emerging as the SF Giants top trade target?

Considered of the best shortstops in MLB, Story has seen his production dip thus far in 2021. In 87 games, the Rockies star has blasted 12 home runs, swiped 17 bases, and recorded a .240/.311/.422 triple-slash. However, a cursory look at his underlying numbers, like average exit velocity, average launch angle, strikeout rate, and walk rate, all suggest he’s performing closer to his career marks. For his career, Story has averaged nearly 40 doubles, 35 home runs, and 25 stolen bases per 162 games with a .272/.339/.521 line. On the other side of the ball, Story is considered an elite defensive shortstop.

Story will be a free agent at the end of 2021 unless he agrees to a contract extension before then. With the Rockies clearly amidst a rebuild, it seems clear that his days in Colorado are numbered. Many expect the Rockies front office to look to move Story for a package of prospects before the deadline. While the Giants may not need a shortstop, where Brandon Crawford is expected to play every day once he returns from injury, Story is considered an elite athlete that manager Gabe Kapler could consider deploying at second base, third base, or even in the outfield.

Trevor Story is considered one of the best players in MLB. With the 28-year-old slated for free agency at the end of the year, the SF Giants might already plan to make a run at bringing him to the Bay Area. Entrenched in a tight National League West race, perhaps the team’s front office will sacrifice some prospects to bring him to the Orange and Black this season.