Before the 2025 season, Trevor Story's contract with the Boston Red Sox was already a wash. The shortstop was severely injured in three of the first six years of the $140 million deal and he played just 163 games in that time.
By last season, fans hoped Story could stay healthy enough to post a full season, or close to it, on the field. He did even better by slashing .263/.308/.433 and leading the team with 25 home runs and 96 RBI.
The Red Sox didn't sign a true big bat this offseason, hoping that Story would run it back with another 20-30 homer campaign. He's got a home run and a double through six games, but he strikes out far too much to hit in the No. 2 spot (13 strikeouts through six games in 2026, 176 in 157 games last season). That's on the Red Sox for not signing someone better to hit behind Roman Anthony.
His offensive production isn't the only problem with his performance so far — he suits up at shortstop every day, but he's not the best shortstop on the team.
Trevor Story is no longer the best shortstop on the Red Sox and he should be moved swiftly
Despite what the Red Sox may wish to believe, Story is past his defensive prime. He was once a fine, athletic shortstop for the Colorado Rockies, and he even logged 21 defensive runs saved (DRS) during the 2019 season. But he hasn't been that good since then, and it's delusional for Boston to continue playing him at shortstop while Marcelo Mayer, the team's shortstop of the future, plays better defense at second base.
Story led the Red Sox in errors last season with 19 and logged -9 outs above average, finishing with just third percentile range among shortstops. His performance got worse as the season dragged on and fatigue set in, and he ended the season with -7 DRS.
Story's defense hasn't looked any better in 2026. He's made two errors in six games — he overthrows balls to first base far too often and even the most routine ground balls rolls under his glove. Somehow, he looks panicked and rushed nearly always.
It's the definition of insanity to constantly do the same thing but expect different results. The Red Sox expected to show up in 2026 with better infield defense by keeping the worst defender on their team last season at shortstop when Mayer would clearly be better.
It's hard to admit that a contract as expensive as Story's is bad, especially when the player on said contract is still tendered for years afterwards. But the Red Sox are deluding themselves if they think Story is still the best option at shortstop — move him to second base and give Mayer the shortstop job, which he should've had since the day it was announced he made the roster.