Cubs Rumors: Chicago is a ‘likely suitor’ for shortstop Trevor Story

Until we see how the free agent market develops (which will be even more complicated than normal due to the expiring CBA and looming negotiations over what the next iteration of a labor agreement will look like) it’s hard to know what paths will be available to the Chicago Cubs as they look to continue their dramatic roster overhaul that began almost a year ago with the Yu Darvish trade.

So for the time being, we’re confined to sheer speculation – and there’s been no shortage of that in recent days. Reports suggest Javier Baez and the Mets might get together on a long-term deal early this offseason and the Cubs are doing their due diligence on the loaded class of free agent shortstops. Which segues nicely into the latest from Mark Feinsand, who lists Chicago as a ‘likely’ suitor for Trevor Story.

Chicago did a reset at the Trade Deadline, dealing away Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Báez, Craig Kimbrel and Kyle Schwarber among others, but the Cubs don’t figure to go into a long rebuilding mode. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer recently said the club will be “really active in free agency” this winter, so the idea of the Cubs signing one of the big-name shortstops is certainly in play. The Cubs have two shortstops among their top 10 prospects (No. 3 Cristian Hernandez and No. 7 Ed Howard), but neither has turned 20 yet, leaving a need at the position.

Now, to be clear, there were eight other teams noted by Feinsand as potential landing spots for the longtime Rockies slugger and the Cubs clocked in at number five on the nine-team list. Joining Chicago were (in order) Colorado, Texas, Detroit, Philadelphia, the Angels, Yankees, Seattle and St. Louis.

The fit between Trevor Story, Chicago Cubs isn’t as clear-cut as with others

Given the concerns over his defensive abilities and his rather drastic home-road splits in his career, Story would be one of the last guys I’m building around (mostly because I think teams will pay him for his Coors production and that’s not what you’re going to get outside Denver). But if he’s looking to rebound after a brutal 2021 (at least by his lofty standards) on a short-term, prove it-style deal, maybe there’s a way this works.

This year, Story managed just a 103 OPS+ and 100 wRC+ with the Rockies and his barrel rate is yet to get back to where it was in the first three years of his career. He hit the ball on the ground more in 2021 than at any point in his career. Obviously, when you’re a guy who’s made his living hitting the ball out of the yard, that’s a concern.

Throw in the fact he’s undoubtedly going to be tied to draft pick compensation due to the qualifying offer Colorado’s going to send his way and it becomes even more difficult to see the Cubs wanting to add the two-time All-Star. But, like I said, at this point in the offseason (which technically hasn’t even begun with the postseason still ongoing) – we’re going to break down every rumor out there.