4 Red Sox who are fighting for their futures heading into 2024

Trevor Story

The Red Sox signed Trevor Story shortly before Opening Day 2022 and he was billed as a great defender and a powerful right-handed bat to bolster the batting order. Needless to say, he hasn't matched up to his Colorado Rockies production with the Red Sox. Story has played just 137 games in his two-year tenure with Boston after multiple injuries have sidelined him for prolonged periods.

In the games he has played, Story's defense has met expectations among a struggling infield. He's a bright spot in an error-prone roster — Story logged eight outs above average at shortstop last season. But his bat doesn't measure up. In his two short seasons with the Sox, he's batting just .227/.287/.398. He strikes out a lot and doesn't walk much, either.

The Sox signed Story to a six-year, $140 million deal, which is far from cheap for the current Red Sox who are reluctant to spend. If Story can't match up for yet another year, he'd be a great candidate for a trade at the deadline. Boston could fetch a good return for him and it would get his high salary off the books.

Hopefully, Story can have the breakout year his coaches and reporters have predicted he'll have. He needs it if he hopes to remain on the Red Sox for much longer.