Cubs Rumors: Potential target Trevor Story now a focus of the Twins

On the heels of clearing the $50 million still owed to Josh Donaldson from their books in a trade with the Yankees, the Minnesota Twins have now ‘been in contact’ with the reps for two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger recipient Trevor Story.

Story, 29, was viewed as a surefire trade candidate last summer, but the Rockies instead elected to simply run out the clock on his time in Colorado. As tough as the trade deadline was for Chicago Cubs fans as we watched Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez (among others) moved, at least we didn’t take that course of action and have nothing to show for it.

But that’s neither here nor there. Now, Story is a free agent and looking for his next home. During the lockout, there was speculation he could be a fit in Chicago, especially considering he’s unlikely to garner anywhere near the $300+ million Carlos Correa is reportedly seeking but is still a notable upgrade for most teams.

Last season, Story put up 4.2 bWAR, slashing a fairly pedestrian .251/.329/.471 with the Rockies – well below his career marks. Throughout his six-year big league career, he’s carried rather dramatic home-road splits (as most Rockies players tend to do), so there’s certainly a higher degree of risk here.

Cubs could be odd man out if Trevor Story joins Twins, Correa goes back to HOU

Let’s play hypotheticals for a second here. If talks between the Astros and Correa pick up steam and Story winds up with the Twins, the opportunity for the Cubs to upgrade at shortstop is at risk of passing them by.

Houston re-engaged with Correa over the weekend, with team ownership even getting involved in those conversations, so if he winds up back with the Astros and Story’s off the board, as well, we may very well see the Cubs head into 2022 with some combination of Nico Hoerner and Andrelton Simmons handling duties at short. Suffice to say, fans wouldn’t take this well – at all.

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During the lockout, I pointed out some potential free agent fits at shortstop in next winter’s class – so it’s not like there won’t be options for Jed Hoyer to consider in the near future. But after Chicago took a hacksaw to payroll last summer, folks expected some sort of major addition this winter and, so far, that’s not been the case.