The Twins appear to be eyeing up Free Agent SS Trevor Story a day before the beginning of Spring Training. This thread is for updates and discussion on the Twins’ chances to get Story.

MLBTR has a good primer on how we got to this point if anyone needs it.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/twins-rumors-trevor-story-shortstop.html

If they do not get a above average Short Stop, their defense will drop back to the abysmal 2020 level.

With Cruz, Donaldson, Garver gone, they will not have the power batting line-up so things do not look good., but perhaps the new coaches can make a difference.

The team has the same people in the office that brought in top line veterans for 2019 and created a top line team, but now they act like a Chinese Fire Drill.

The Twins do not have a chance to get Trevor Story unless they first add at least one pitcher of note (Montas, Manaea, or unlikely ... Lopez). Montas price has likely risen since last weekend to now cost something like Lewis, Duran, Rooker/Wallner, and Sands. A rock and a hard place. Ironic that Colorado signs Bryant to a big contract.

7 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The Twins do not have a chance to get Trevor Story unless they first add at least one pitcher of note (Montas, Manaea, or unlikely ... Lopez). Montas price has likely risen since last weekend to now cost something like Lewis, Duran, Rooker/Wallner, and Sands. A rock and a hard place. Ironic that Colorado signs Bryant to a big contract.

I doubt Story is that demanding. He's going to sign a 5+ year contract so his vision of the org likely looks beyond only 2022.

19 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I doubt Story is that demanding. He's going to sign a 5+ year contract so his vision of the org likely looks beyond only 2022.

We are going to find out. Would you sign with the Twins if you were Story? I'm retired now but had a couple of occasions in my life where I turned down a much better paying job because there were clear issues within the hiring organization that would affect my quality of life. Trevor Story is going to make money but if I had a guess I would guess he has not signed yet because he wants to see the Twins provide some evidence that they will be a competitive team. But I don't know and will hope that something positive emerges from the disaster that has been evident within the franchise in the past year. I'm generally a positive person and a little uncomfortable being critical of a sports team.

39 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I doubt Story is that demanding. He's going to sign a 5+ year contract so his vision of the org likely looks beyond only 2022.

Also, his frame of reference is the Rockies organization.

5 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

We are going to find out. Would you sign with the Twins if you were Story? I'm retired now but had a couple of occasions in my life where I turned down a much better paying job because there were clear issues within the hiring organization that would affect my quality of life. Trevor Story is going to make money but if I had a guess I would guess he has not signed yet because he wants to see the Twins provide some evidence that they will be a competitive team. But I don't know and will hope that something positive emerges from the disaster that has been evident within the franchise in the past year. I'm generally a positive person and a little uncomfortable being critical of a sports team.

I wouldn't hesitate to sign with the Twins if they offered the most money. They're a pretty solid organization that made the postseason in 2017, 2019, and 2020. They have both a solid core and a decent farm system.

Honestly, the biggest deterrent to me would be playing here in April.

29 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

We are going to find out. Would you sign with the Twins if you were Story? I'm retired now but had a couple of occasions in my life where I turned down a much better paying job because there were clear issues within the hiring organization that would affect my quality of life. Trevor Story is going to make money but if I had a guess I would guess he has not signed yet because he wants to see the Twins provide some evidence that they will be a competitive team. But I don't know and will hope that something positive emerges from the disaster that has been evident within the franchise in the past year. I'm generally a positive person and a little uncomfortable being critical of a sports team.

In your previous post you mention the Bryant signing. Good example of how players most of the time follow the money and not the rosters.

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

In your previous post you mention the Bryant signing. Good example of how players most of the time follow the money and not the rosters.

I agree, most of the time. Story was not happy with the moves in Colorado. Some players are different.

19 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I agree, most of the time. Story was not happy with the moves in Colorado. Some players are different.

He's also reportedly turned down big deals because he wants to stay at SS. That doesn't sound like a guy who's willing to sacrifice a lot for a better chance to win. At the end of the day neither of us really have any idea what he prioritizes, but if the Twins offer him the most money I'd be shocked to hear he turned it down because of their pitching staff.

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Honestly, the biggest deterrent to me would be playing here in April.

Can't argue with that.

I would add that if I was Mr Story, I would be concerned about anticipating Game 7 of the World Series at Target Field in November. Trying to track those groundballs in 10" of snow is a real trick, but maybe the elite glove guys just look it as a bucket-list challenge, like a climber ascending Kilimanjaro solo.

44 minutes ago, Game7-91 said:

Can't argue with that.

I would add that if I was Mr Story, I would be concerned about anticipating Game 7 of the World Series at Target Field in November. Trying to track those groundballs in 10" of snow is a real trick, but maybe the elite glove guys just look it as a bucket-list challenge, like a climber ascending Kilimanjaro solo.

If Story is actually thinking that there will be a Game 7 at Target Field, I don’t think the weather would  stop him.  What is more likely to stop him from signing with the Twins is an incapability to envision a Game 7 at Target Field. 

39 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

If Story is actually thinking that there will be a Game 7 at Target Field, I don’t think the weather would  stop him.  What is more likely to stop him from signing with the Twins is an incapability to envision a Game 7 at Target Field. 

So he's expecting we will win it in 6 this time? (Or maybe he's expecting game 6 and 7 will be on the road.)  

Another free agent shortstop, Jonathan Villar, has just signed with the Cubs. So the market is still moving...

By this point in time, as there has been no announcement, I think IF the Twins manage to get Story, it will be for both more $$$ and years than we would actually want to do. Then it would be like Donaldson right off the bat, good player, but that constant bad taste of what you're paying now, and the 'dead' years at the end of the contract. Granted, if there wasn't a self-imposed salary cap, we would never need to think that way at all; but since we do, if we get Story, that'll be it, one pricey guy is all the Twins roll with.

I just saw Villar signed with the Cubs. I don't see any other stopgap type SS out there any more, just Story and Correa. I hope we get Story. If not, we really will find our if Gordon or Urshela can actually man the position. 

1 hour ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I just saw Villar signed with the Cubs. I don't see any other stopgap type SS out there any more, just Story and Correa. I hope we get Story. If not, we really will find our if Gordon or Urshela can actually man the position. 

I think you're right. Simmons and Iglesias are gone. At this point I'm expecting the Cards to sign Story and the Twins trade for De Jong. 

Interesting idea. I would actually be fine with the Twins winding up with DeJong at SS if we can't get Story. 

20 hours ago, Otto von Ballpark said:

Also, his frame of reference is the Rockies organization.

Think maybe his agent is capable of broadening his horizons.

Story has all the incentive in the world to drag this out, he has plenty of suitors who don't have a lot of options, and nothing to lose from making teams sweat.

2 minutes ago, Unwinder said:

Story has all the incentive in the world to drag this out, he has plenty of suitors who don't have a lot of options, and nothing to lose from making teams sweat.

Exactly, Correa probably has to pick his contract first.  Then Story can hope someone who missed out on Correa sees him as a desperate have to have guy.

While the Twins are certainly far more interested in long term contracts and big dollars for position players than pitchers, I just don't know about the likelihood they're in serious pursuit of Story. The Twins are often linked to top free agents as having made contact or talked with agents and the like, but when it comes down to it, the Twins have never signed a $100MM+ free agent, ever. The extension of Buxton and signing of Story? Two $100MM+ contracts in the same season would be pretty extreme for Minnesota.

Boston is also in the discussions with Story at this point, and no doubt Houston is talking to Story's agents since they're talking to Correa as well. While Bogaerts may want to remain at SS, he's not a particularly great one and he has an opt out clause he's likely to exercise at the end of this year. I think Boston is a much likelier ending point for Story than people may think.

14 minutes ago, Unwinder said:

Story has all the incentive in the world to drag this out, he has plenty of suitors who don't have a lot of options, and nothing to lose from making teams sweat.

That's not really true, though. Every team measures its opportunity costs and if Story waits too long and the Twins fear they might miss on Montas and Story if they keep waiting, they may decide Montas is the bigger priority and move in that direction.

More than one big name free agent has been left without a chair when the music stops.

Unless the Twins actually get Story, I will believe that the FO does not really intend on competing this year but has an eye more towards 2023. Royce could be ready for SS next year. On paper this team is worse than the 2021 team. 

8 minutes ago, dex8425 said:

Unless the Twins actually get Story, I will believe that the FO does not really intend on competing this year but has an eye more towards 2023. Royce could be ready for SS next year. On paper this team is worse than the 2021 team. 

Agree 100%. Even with Gray they are worse now than last year and unless lightning strikes it’s all about getting the roster and salary situation ready for next year and beyond.