When the Rockies sent star third baseman Nolan Arenado — and $51 million — to the Cardinals on February 1, it signaled the start of a rebuild, despite what owner Dick Monfort said.
When it became clear that star shortstop Trevor Story planned to become a free agent at the end of the season, it made sense that the Rockies would explore a trade for Story.
When the Rockies fell 14 games under .500 by the end of May, more players, chief among them right-handed starter Jon Gray, also appeared headed to the trade market.