Boston Red Sox have to put the ‘For Sale’ sign up now

While the Boston Red Sox maintained that they were unsure of their path at the trade deadline, it was becoming clear as the days rolled on. They entered Saturday in the AL East basement at 50-51, 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. With their myriad of injuries to their rotation, it was going to take a lot of work and probably a miracle or seven for them to reach the playoffs.

Those hopes took yet another hit on Saturday. Trevor Story was revealed to be dealing with a hairline fracture in his wrist from when he was hit by a pitch on July 12, forcing him from the lineup since.

Trevor Story injury ends debate of Boston Red Sox path

Story had undergone x-rays of his hand and wrist when he was first hit but those came back negative. However, after he had not progressed in the subsequent two weeks, the Red Sox sent him for a second opinion, revealing the fracture. He will now be shut down for the next ten to 14 days as they hope his wrist will begin to heal.

This is another blow to a team that has already battled injury and disappointment all year. Ten players that were expected to be key pieces of their roster are on the Injured List, while only one starting pitcher has made at least 20 starts this season. It just is not their year.

Story has been a part of that disappointment as well. He has struggled in the first year of the six year, $120 million deal he signed in the offseason, posting a .221/.289/.423 batting line in his 342 plate appearances. Story has done well when he has made contact, with 51 homers and 17 doubles while chipping in ten steals, but he has struck out 105 times. This year just has not worked out as anyone would have hoped.

And now it is time to look ahead to 2023. The Red Sox have nine impending free agents with Xander Bogaerts likely to become the tenth when he opts out of his contract. They could get some intriguing talent for most of those players while reloading for next year. Story’s injury should force their hand.

The Boston Red Sox still need to determine their path for the trade deadline. Trevor Story’s injury news may have made that decision easier.