KC Royals: Is there any free agent help in Colorado?

Welcome to the first in a series of Kings of Kauffman stories analyzing the major league free agent market. Over the next several weeks, our writers will scrutinize each club’s free agents and project who might, or might not, fit the needs of the KC Royals. Today, we take a look at the Colorado Rockies’ free agents.

But for their trips to the postseason in 2017 and 2018, the Colorado Rockies haven’t been remarkably different from the KC Royals over the past five seasons. The Rockies lost 91 games in 2019 while the Royals lost 103, both clubs finished 26-34 in 2020, and Colorado was 74-87 this season, KC 74-88.

Their inability to post recent winning records means both teams will probe this winter’s strong free agent market. The Royals’ uninspiring quartet of free agents—Ervin Santana, Jesse Hahn, and former Colorado relievers Wade Davis and Greg Holland—probably won’t tempt the Rockies, but could Kansas City find help among their four free agents?

The KC Royals have absolutely no need for the Rockies’ top free agent.

Make no mistake about it, Trevor Story is going to get his money this winter, or sometime after that if baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires without a new deal and the owners lock the players out and institute a transaction freeze Dec. 2.

Story is a high level shortstop possessed of a passable glove and better bat. He’s averaging over 26 home runs in six seasons and hit 37 in 2018, 35 in 2019, and 24 in 2021. His career slash alone (.272/.340/.523) makes him attractive to any club needing a shortstop.

And that’s one thing the Royals don’t need, not with Nicky Lopez, Adalberto Mondesi, and Bobby Witt Jr. all in the fold. Kansas City won’t seek out Story.