Reds: Trading for Trevor Story is not worth the investment

Trevor Story has been a popular name among Cincinnati Reds fans who want to see the team make an upgrade at shortstop, but trading for the two-time Silver Slugger is not worth it. That’s not to say that Story isn’t a good player, or even an upgrade over Kyle Farmer, but the 28-year-old’s numbers away from Coors Field are not good.

Make no mistake, could the Reds use Story’s services at shortstop? Absolutely! Story is a two-time All-Star with a solid glove at shortstop and a career-OPS of .860. No matter how much you love Kyle Farmer, and I do, there’s no denying that Story is an upgrade over the former Georgia Bulldog.

But, looking at Story’s home and away splits has to be concerning for any team looking to add the Texas native. In the thin air of Colorado, Story is hitting .291/.345/.477 while on the road, he’s slashing .186/.276/.379. For his career, Story is hitting .302/.367/.605 at Coors Field and .242/.310/.437 on the road.

Trevor Story’s home/ road splits should give the Reds cause to pause.

Were the Reds to  make a play for Trevor Story, it’d likely cost Cincinnati a Top 10 prospect like Michael Siani or Lyon Richardson. Siani is a speedy outfielder, while Richardson has the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation hurler.

Neither Siani or Richardson is crucial to the Reds’ farm system, so sacrificing a player like that for two months of Story isn’t the end of the world. Cincinnati would also have to include at least one other prospect as well to get a deal done.

But do the Reds really need Trevor Story in order to compete for the National League Central Division? Currently, the team has been relying upon Kyle Farmer as the everyday shortstop, and in the month of July the 30-year-old is absolutely crushing opposing pitching.

Farmer is hitting .394/.463/.676 over his last 20 games with four home runs and eight RBIs. Eventually, I expect Farmer to come back to earth, but until then, Reds Country should enjoy the ride. Farmer is under team control through 2024.

David Bell announced yesterday that former first-round pick Nick Senzel is headed for rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Senzel is expected to get work in both center field and shortstop and the 25-year-old has seen more time in the infield this season than he has since he was in the minor leagues.

There’s also the matter of Jose Barrero. The 23-year-old has been obliterating the ball since his promotion to Triple-A Louisville in late June. Over his 25 games for the Bats, Barrero is hitting .309 six home runs and 24 RBIs. The youngster also has four stolen bases. Barrero is the future at shortstop.

Should the Cincinnati Reds attempt to trade for Trevor Story? If the Reds could snag Story for Siani and a mid-level prospect, I wouldn’t be opposed to the deal. If for no other reason, it would keep Story from being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.

However, I don’t think adding Trevor Story is necessary for this Reds team to make a run at the NL Central title. If the Reds were going to take on that kind of salary, I’d rather see them continue to add to the bullpen or even look at a back-of-the-rotation starter.