All-Star Week will impact the Rockies’ future
Jul 6, 2021, 6:49 AM
No doubt All-Star Week down at 20th and Blake will be a feather in the purple-brimmed cap of the Colorado Rockies.
But how the team’s representatives fare in the marquee events could also determine the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
Two Rockies — shortstop Trevor Story and starting pitcher German Marquez — will participate in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, respectively, next week.
And both Marquez and Story could be on the move before the trade deadline later this month.
So, with the baseball world’s eyes trained on Coors Field next week, the Midsummer Classic will double as an audition for the two young stars.
Marquez appeals to teams not only on merit but also with his contract situation.
Colorado’s only representative for the All-Star Game this season, Marquez is on track for career lows in ERA (3.59) and WHIP (1.177) in 2021. Not to mention he nearly threw a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates a week ago.
But the cherry on top is Marquez, 26, is locked up through the 2024 season.
With Story, however, how the slugging shortstop performs in the Home Run Derby could affect what trade offers the Rockies may receive.
Despite a recent uptick in his performance at the plate, Story couldn’t overcome a sluggish start to the season to earn a spot on this year’s All-Star squad after making the roster in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019.
In 72 games this season, Story has a slash line of .256/.327/.455 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI.
Couple those numbers with an expiring contract at the end of this year, and potential suitors have strong negotiating position when it comes to a possible trade for Story, especially because he’s likely a rental for a team contending down the home stretch.
But a strong performance in the Derby in front of the hometown Coors Field crowd makes for a fun storyline, and could boost his profile nationally, which could justify a higher asking price in exchange for the budding superstar.
In any case, a strong performance in the Derby in front of the hometown Coors Field crowd makes for a fun storyline … and those are hard to come by this season for the Rockies faithful.
