Boston Red Sox
“It’s a special thing to find, getting back to feeling like myself, like I’m going to do something special each night.”
While the Red Sox brace themselves for an expected bidding war for Alex Bregman’s services this winter, Boston won’t have to fret about another key cog of its infield leaving this offseason.
According to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story has informed the team that he won’t opt out of his current contract and will play out the final two years and $55 million left on said deal.
According to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, the 32-year-old infielder’s decision to forgo a chance to hit free agency once again this winter is because he is “said to appreciate the organization and likes the direction it is headed.”
Story — who originally signed a six-year, $140 million contract with Boston ahead of the 2022 season — had the option to opt-out after the 2025 season. That timing was seemingly working in the veteran’s favor, considering he posted his best numbers since joining Boston this summer.
After appearing in just 163 games over his first three seasons with Boston due to a myriad of injuries, Story appeared in 157 games with the Red Sox in 2025 — batting .263 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI.
With Story now in the fold, the Red Sox at least have one variable dealt with when it comes to their infield — as Boston must still try to sign Bregman, determine where Marcelo Mayer slots in on the field, and chart out who the team’s starting first baseman will be next year.
Story’s return could prompt Boston to shift him over to second base and open the door for Mayer to play short. While he’s been a plus defender for a majority of his career, Story posted a negative-9 outs above average in 2025 as some of his range and arm strength waned.
But Story’s pop from the right side of the plate and his standing as one of the veterans in Boston’s young clubhouse will be welcomed in both 2026 and 2027 as the team tries to build off their brief playoff run this October.
“We’re a very tight-knit crew,” Story told Healey on the night Boston’s season came to a close against the Yankees. “I’ve said that all year. It’s just fun coming to work with these guys, man. They love it just as much as I do. And it’s a special thing to find, getting back to feeling like myself, like I’m going to do something special each night.
“It’s been a while since I felt that, so to feel that consistently over four or five months meant a lot to me. But it’s more about the teammates, more about our coaches and our guys here that you get to share the grind with because they become family.”
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