How does Trevor Story fit with the Boston Red Sox?
The Boston Red Sox made a late splash in free agency on Sunday, inking All-Star shortstop Trevor Story to a long-term deal. The question now becomes how does Story fit into Boston’s current and future plans?
With Trevor Story on the Boston Red Sox, how does that change their roster and how will he be used?
Story comes to the Boston Red Sox after making his debut with the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day of 2016. He has held down the shortstop position for the Rockies since that time, but that may not be what his immediate future holds in Boston as it is being reported he will play second base with the Red Sox. Story has never played any defensive position other than shortstop during his MLB tenure, but he did play 29 games at the position during his minor league days (most recently in 2015.
With Xander Bogaerts already at shortstop for the Red Sox, the team will look to strengthen its defense up the middle with Story slotting in at second base over Christian Arroyo, who saw action there in 51 games last season and was penciled in at the position to start Opening Day.
By signing Story to a six-year, $140 million deal, the Red Sox are also hedging their bets for the future as well. Bogaerts has an opt-out clause that kicks in after the conclusion of this season and he is expected to exercise that opt-out. If that happens and the three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion doesn’t return to Boston, Story can slide back to his natural position of shortstop and the Red Sox will be covered.
It is a bit of a gamble to bring Story on to play second base, a position that will take some adjustment by the athletic Story. However, the position switch is something that has been talked about quite a bit this offseason with Story suffering from an elbow injury last season and scouts wondering about his arm strength after that.
Offensively, Story’s power bat should play at Fenway. Don’t let the “Coors Field” detractors sway you from the fact that 40 percent of Story ‘s career homers have come away from Denver and a pair of his former teammates in DJ LeMahieu (who has slashed .307/.370/.461 in his three seasons with the New York Yankees) and Nolan Arenado (who hit 34 homers last season in his St. Louis Cardinals debut) have shown that they can hit anywhere in MLB. Story is likely the next former Rockies player to show this as well.
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In the lineup, Story could slot in fifth behind Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez to give the Red Sox another power-hitting, right-handed bat. Story’s addition certainly strengthens and lengthens a Boston batting order that will be one to watch in what should be an incredible race for the American League East title.