2-year deal finalized, Story committed to Rockies
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DENVER -- Shortstop Trevor Story¡¯s new contract gives the Rockies¡¯ payroll some relief in 2020, but gets him a high salary in 2021 and protects his free agency prospects.
Story¡¯s two-year, $27.5 million contract -- which breaks down to an $8 million salary this year (plus a $2 million salary bonus) and a $17.5 million salary next -- went official on Friday. The deal covers the final two years of arbitration.
Before the deal was negotiated, Story, 27, sought $11.5 million while the team offered $10.75 million during the arbitration process. The total $10 million payout in 2020 saved the club a possible $1.5 million before next year¡¯s bigger investment. But Story also remains in line to join a strong class of shortstops that could hit the free-agent market after 2021 -- one that includes Francisco Lindor, Javier B¨¢ez, Carlos Correa, and Corey Seager.
¡°It¡¯s great having a little security, and it¡¯s nice knowing we won¡¯t have to go through arbitration again next offseason,¡± Story told MLB.com. ¡°The feeling was mutual, and I¡¯m happy with the way it turned out.¡±
Story earned the new deal with some unprecedented numbers. After last season -- when he hit .294 with 35 home runs, 85 RBIs, 78 extra-base hits and 23 steals, and was a first-time Gold Glove finalist -- Story stands as the only shortstop in MLB history to begin his career with four consecutive seasons of 20 or more home runs.
Does Story¡¯s contract structure allow the Rockies to possibly add a Major League free agent? The Rockies are the only club in the Majors not to have signed a free agent with Major League experience, or made a trade for a Major Leaguer, this offseason. For now, the Rockies¡¯ only new addition who had ever appeared in the Majors is left-handed reliever Tyler Kinley, a waiver claim from the Marlins.
The Rockies have taken much criticism locally for not adding talent, although the roster that fueled the postseason trips in 2017-18 is still largely intact, featuring mostly players in their 20s. Last year¡¯s payroll, according to Spotrac, was a club-record $157.1 million -- steep for a team in the Majors¡¯ 17th-largest television market. A new contract with AT&T Sports Networks begins in 2021.