The 2021 MLB trade deadline is still more than two months away, but a couple of trade candidates could emerge sooner rather than later. The Colorado Rockies and Minnesota Twins own baseball’s worst records and are expected to entertain trading their top players.

Rockies shortstop Trevor Story is expected by many to be traded this summer, Fansided's Robert Murray reports. Twins slugger Nelson Cruz could become available, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.

Story has been at the center of trade speculation since the offseason when star third baseman Nolan Arenado was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals. Story is in the final year of his contract, so there’s a good chance the Rockies will try to get something in return for the shortstop before he leaves Colorado in free agency.

An All-Star in both 2018 and 2019, Story is one of the best players at his position. Even amid a slow start to the 2021 season, Story would be highly coveted by contenders if made available.

Through one quarter of the season, the Rockies are already 10.5 games out of first place in the NL West.

While Colorado was expected to struggle, Minnesota was projected to contend in the American League. The back-to-back AL Central champs have been the sport’s most disappointing team, sitting in last place and trailing the first-place Chicago White Sox by 11.5 games.

Following 10 losses in their last 12 games, the Twins are on track to become sellers before the July 30 deadline. Productive veterans on short contracts make the most sense to be dealt, putting Cruz at the top of the list.

At 40 years old, Cruz remains one of baseball’s most dangerous sluggers. The DH was an All-MLB Second Team selection in 2020, hitting 16 home runs with a .992 OPS in 55 games. Cruz is on pace to hit more than 35 home runs for his seventh straight full season.

Cruz is playing on a one-year, $13 million contract.

Trevor Story Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story Getty
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