After a night of disappointment of seeing the trading deadline pass and his name not posted on the done-deal board, Trevor Story showed up for work with the Rockies in San Diego on Saturday night, ready to play and you would think thankful, in a strange way, that he is still a member of the Rockies.

Here’s the deal.

Rockies interim general manager Bill Schmidt was willing to meet Story’s wish and deal him, but he wasn’t going to give him away. The deadline approached and the best offer he had was one that had less value than the bonus draft choice they will pick up if Story decides to test the open market in the fall.

Schmidt made the decision to keep Story, tender him a one-year qualifying contract that most likely this year will carry a salary close to $20 million, and see if in the 10-day period he would have exclusive negotiations Story would say yes.

If not, Schmidt knows he will get a draft choice after the first round as compensation for Story signing a contract in excess of $50 million.

So why would Story consider the qualifying offer? Simple. He is battling the worst season of his six-year, big-league career. There are questions about the strength in his right elbow after a stint on the injured list earlier this season. There was concern by general managers with interest in Story that made an adjustment in his throwing motion. Story no longer had the rifle arm from shortstop.

That, it should be added, is all guessing on the part of outsiders.

But the other consideration would be the depth of shortstops who could be in this year’s free-agent class. The list includes Javier Baez, Carlos Correa, and Corey Seager, who were ranked ahead of Story coming into the season. And teams looking for shortstop help also might find an answer in Brandon Crawford (on a short-term basis given his age), Marcus Semien, and Andrelton Simmons.

The stoic Story never makes excuses or publicly complains.

Both Schmidt, who was the scouting director who selected Story out of high school, and manager Bud Black have not been hesitant to say in a perfect world they would be able to resign Story.

So rest assured, he could be welcomed back, even if it is just a one-year deal.

It would also give Story a chance to see what the Rockies do in the next year to fill needs in the bullpen, primarily.

Schmidt made it no secret at the trading deadline that he did not approach the event with the attitude the Rockies were holding a fire sale. His attitude was the framework is in place, but there is a need for siding and windows.

Just how committed the Rockies are to keep their current nucleus together and build around it was underscored when the Rockies took Jon Gray off the trade market early last week — contrary to the media draft experts who were claiming the Rockies were having talks involving Gray right up to the deadline.

That means the Rockies are in position to have all five members of this year’s rotation in place again next year. This rotation, built around the home-grown core of Gray, Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela, with the addition during the off-season of Austin Comber, has what is easily the best 1-through-5 rotation in franchise history.

The decision belongs to Story.

But the reality is, right now his market value is not what it had been before this season.

What hasn’t changed is his focus and desire, It’s a key factor in the Rockies respect for Story.

Time will tell if all that matters.