We've reached one-third of the way through the 2025 MLB season, and it's time for the Boston Red Sox to enter panic mode.
The Red Sox signed Alex Bregman and traded for Garrett Crochet to finally return to the postseason after three straight misses. Boston's perpetually .500 record and 14 one-run losses don't scream "playoff team," and it needs to make some changes to move the needle and break free of mediocrity.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have recently been the poster organization for doing whatever it takes to win games. It only recently resulted in a championship after they beat the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series, but the Dodgers' MLB-leading payroll has built a superteam, of sorts. But when players aren't performing to the level the team needs, LA hasn't been afraid to cut them loose. Chris Taylor and Austin Barnes are two of the Dodgers' latest roster casualties, and the Red Sox need to take a page out of their book.
Trevor Story's contract has been abysmal for Boston. He played 163 games in his first three seasons due to injuries but finally became a regular in the Sox's lineup in 2025. Unfortunately, his play hasn't lived up to the hype.
Story has been as close as it gets to an automatic out for the past month. He's slashing .222/.269/.325 with two extra base hits in May. His 65 strikeouts are tied for the fourth-most by a single player in MLB and his .594 OPS is tied for the 12th-lowest among qualified players. Orioles position player Emmanuel Rivera came way too close to inducing two outs off him during the Sox's blowout 19-5 win on May 23.
Red Sox need to seriously consider benching or designating Trevor Story for assignment
His defense has also underwhelmed. Story's early-season shoulder fracture in 2024 was labeled as a main reason for the Red Sox's defensive struggles, but his presence at shortstop hasn't actually helped matters. He's posted negative four outs above average for a sixth percentile range and negative three defensive runs saved.
Story's contract has over $75 million and three seasons remaining after 2025. The deal contains an opt-out before the 2026 campaign, but the Red Sox won't get lucky enough for him to use it — Story's many injuries and lackluster play when he's healthy have completely decimated his free agent value. The money remaining on his contract should not prevent the Red Sox from benching or designating him for assignment.
The Dodgers designated Taylor, one of the team's longest-tenured players, to fit top prospects or better options on the roster. Taylor struggled in his 28 games with the Dodgers this year, slashing .200/.200/.257. Top LA prospect, Dalton Rushing, who's taken a roster spot from its former longest-tenured players, is batting .250/.294/.313 with three RBI, one more than Taylor had, in his first five games. Mayer and Roman Anthony could pay off similarly, or much better, for the Red Sox.
After the injury to Bregman recently decimated the Red Sox's offense, the team needs a jolt. Boston can't afford Story's chronic struggles, especially after holding a near-.500 record through the easiest part of its schedule and consistently ranking near the top in strikeouts. If DFAing Story is what it takes to keep the Sox's top prospects on their roster and limit their offensive woes, they need to consider it, no matter how expensive the move would be.