Cincinnati Reds: 5 blockbuster trades to consider this offseason

3. Could the Reds pry Trevor Story away from the Mile High City?

While trading for Francisco Lindor is sure to be the most followed story this offseason, another shortstop could be moved as well. While most of Reds Country would love to see Lindor in a Cincinnati uniform next season, adding Trevor Story would be a phenomenal upgrade at the shortstop position as well.

Trevor Story had another terrific season in 2020. The right-handed hitting native of Texas slashed .289/.355/.519. His .874 OPS was right in line with the kind of numbers that Story typically puts up year-in and year-out. The former first-rounder had 11 home runs and 28 RBIs while stealing 15 bags in 2020.

Story signed a two-year contract that covered the final two seasons of his arbitration window and is owed $18.5M next season. The Rockies finished fourth in the NL West this past season, and it’s not hard to envision Colorado begin to rebuild without the likes of Story, Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon.

Trevor Story would be a one-year rental that Cincinnati could use as a stop gap until José García is ready to takeover as the Reds shortstop. Story would cost less than Lindor in terms of prospects and salary, with the Indians’ shortstop likely to command $20M-plus through the arbitration process this winter.