Tempe, Ariz — Colorado Rockies GM Jeff Bridich was non-committal on Trevor Story as the opening day starter for the club, but still strongly stated that it is not a foregone conclusion that he will be sent to Triple-A Albuquerque just for arbitration reasons.
“I think he is showing everybody just how talented he is,” said Bridich.
But talent isn’t always enough, as was proven by the Chicago Cubs holding Kris Bryant out for the first month of the 2015 season despite destroying baseballs the way Galactus destroys worlds. But Bridich is adamant that there is no one way to look at this issue. “Every decision made coming out of camp is an individual decision,” he says. “There’s no blanket policy that we work off of. We take a look at who [we] think the best player is and does he fit on this team and does the group fit like you want it to?”
“The whole issue with starting the clock, it’s kind of gets blown out of proportion. One: Trevor is already on the roster, he’s already started that clock,” says Bridich referring to the team’s decision to add Story to the 40-man. “And two,” he continued, “if we start him with the big league club right away, it’s not like it’s set in stone forever.“
Bridich seems to be softening the ground here for any outrage that may come from roster hounds concerned that the team might get over-excited about a great spring and then lose out on a full year at the end of Story’s current contract. Any manner of things including injuries or some struggles – which is not out of the realm of possibility for a rookie – could mean that the Rockies give Story the opening day job and still manage to get the extra year of control they desire.
“There’s no reason to rush [a decision],” Bridich argues. “We’re going to keep playing him. He’s been in the starting lineup every other day, he’s playing well and I think Walt and the guys are committed to keep him going.”
It’s a stupid rule that incentivezes GMs to keep potentially their best players out of the lineup but when it comes to the player himself, Bridich could not have beamed more.
“He’s focused on his work even when he’s not in the game. He’s put a great foot forward.”
Whatever the decision ends up being, Bridich recognizes that ultimately this is only arising because a player who once was left for dead in the lower minors by some is now forcing the issue with his stellar play.
“It’s a nice [problem] to have.”
Story has posted an OPS of 1.280 so far this spring and played outstanding defense. Other than Nolan Arenado, he has been the most fun Rockie to watch. And because of the nature of Coors Field and this revelation that Bridich is not being governed entirely by the strange arbitration rules, Story could end up stealing all of the Rookie-of-the-Year attention some think will go to Jon Gray.
One thing is for certain: This spring, Trevor Story came to play.
