The Boston Red Sox organization has mostly avoided major contracts in recent years. Besides its 10-year, $313.5 million extension of star third baseman Rafael Devers, Boston hasn't made many major signings in free agency or otherwise in the last two seasons.
The Red Sox have likely learned from history. After the team signed All-Star pitcher Chris Sale to a five-year, $145 million deal, he spent most of his time on the injured list. He pitched just 56 starts from 2019-23. Shortstop Trevor Story has become the modern Sale in Boston's clubhouse.
Story signed a six-year, $140 million deal with the Red Sox days before the 2022 season began, while homegrown shortstop Xander Bogaerts was still with the team. Multiple contusions and UCL surgery kept him out of action for much of his first two seasons in a Red Sox uniform, and the organization banked on him being available for 2024. It ended up being much of the same after he sustained a freak shoulder injury and was limited to just 26 games.
Bleacher Report named Story's contract as the sixth-worst in MLB for the upcoming season. He's only played 163 games in his first three seasons with Boston and he's owed $72.5 million over the remaining three years of the deal. Story could opt out after the 2025 slate, but he won't secure a payday like his Red Sox deal anywhere else, which makes his departure exceedingly unlikely.
Bleacher Report lists Trevor Story's Red Sox contract as one of the worst of the 2025 season. This could be his chance to prove them wrong.
The return of Trevor Story! pic.twitter.com/nISVmI8lls
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 8, 2024
But, as has been said before, this could be Story's year — actually, it needs to be. Boston has plenty of young middle infield talent in its farm system who could take Story's shortstop job if he can't answer the call for the fourth year in a row. If he can, he'll be an excellent source of knowledge for the team's up-and-coming infielders.
The Red Sox are desperate for righty pop in their heavily left-handed lineup, and a full, healthy year for Story could be the boost they need. He finished out 2024 strong after he slashed .270/.361/.429 with two homers when he returned from the 60-day IL on Sept. 7.
Story's defense was also solid after his return from shoulder surgery, as expected. He was projected to finish a healthy season with two outs above average, but even in his 18 September games, he brought confidence back to Boston's middle infield.
The first three years of Story's deal have passed, and it's safe to say the Red Sox haven't gotten an ideal return on their investment with him. The infielder still has three years to make the contract more worth Boston's while and save his career in the process. If he succeeds, he could be just the righty power bat the Red Sox need.