Shortstop Trevor Story can opt out of his deal with the Red Sox after this season. For much of his Boston tenure, that opt-out has been an afterthought. Lately, he has been on fire and made it seem like a legitimate possibility once again.
Rob Bradford of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast asked Story about his upcoming decision. Story spoke of his love of playing in Boston, which sort of points against him opting out, but he also acknowledged that there's a "business side of it" as well.
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No.
Absolutely not. Stay with Boston forever. Nothing better then hitting at Fenway.
Late to the party but there is no way he opts out. He’s finally healthy and enjoying himself. With the talent so young, he’s as important as Bregman and understands no one is giving him a better deal after just one heathy comeback season. It would be different if he wasn’t happy but you see it every day how he wants to succeed in Boston.
I really cannot imagine any team coming close to $55mil, even on a longer deal, for Trevor Story, even if he keeps his production up.
Not for a 33 y.o. (in 11/’25) outputting -4 OAA/-2 DRS with a 98 OPS+/95 wRC+ with an injury-history.
Negative runs saved? Don’t believe everything you read. Him and Bregman together are as strong as there is on the left side. He also was great playing second when he had to.
Is this a serious question?
Slow day for the writers.
Ya gotta pay money to get past the pay wall and find out.
Neither thing going to happen
If he does, Sox would be wise to say “thanks for your services and a great 2025, good luck.” Too much risk based on last couple years.
Exactly
Forget the risk of injury. You don’t bring him back so Marcelo can play his natural position.
mike – Let’s please do something very few people here do, let’s think this through.
1) You want to assume Mayer can stay healthy for a full season, something he hasn’t done since???
2025 – Wrist injury, season likely ended late-July
2024 – Lumbar strain, season ended mid-August
2023 – Shoulder injury, season ended early August
2022 – Significant time on the IL with a wrist injury
2) Even if Marcelo plays SS all year, why can’t Story play 2B where he was great in 2022? Who else can we COUNT ON to play 2B?
3) What if Bregman walks, then who plays 3B?
4) Going into next season it could be Marcelo and three open infield positions ….. you really want to do that if Story walks? You really want guys like Sogard and Hamilton as everyday starters?
5) It is a very weak free agent class of infielders this offseason. I’d rather roll with Story for just 2 more years than give another boneheaded longterm contract similar to Semien, Baez or Xander.
The much older Story is the same or higher injury risk as Mayer.
appreciate the helpful insights here! well written article as always
The Red Sox couldn’t get that lucky. We have to hope Story’s agent talks him into it. Mayer steps in at SS. Of course you have to hope that with the savings there and from Devers the Red Sox reinvest the big chunk of change.
We could trade for Joe Ryan and extend him with the savings
We could do that anyway.
Sign Pete Alonzo like they should have last offseason.
That would be like an early Christmas gift for the red sox
The media always promotes greed and selfishness. This guy hasn’t even earned his last lavish contract(current one)and they’re already proposing him getting another lavish one. I wish they cared about the plight of regular people in this way.
No lol
It’s a blip, like when people thought Javier Baez returned to form and now he’s as bad as he was last year
If fairness to Baez it’s not definitive either way. He may have very well just hit a bad stretch (wouldn’t be the first time by a long shot). Even this month he has good numbers granted most of it’s from a couple of games. I don’t doubt Story really it’s just a matter of staying healthy largely (which I don’t trust).
He’s already making more money than he’s worth on the open market and he’s getting to play for the best team in baseball. Why would he even given a moment’s thought?
He plays for the Brewers?
super – You need to be familiar with hayzee to understand ;O)
And if he continues to stay healthy this season, he absolutely can command more than $55M on the open market.
FPG
No team is going to pay Story that kind of money. Per . baseball reference
$25 million in 2026
$25 million in 2027
$25 million in 2028 -team option
Soon to be 33 year old with a bad history of injuries 2025 1st year healthy in 4 years. I like Story and I’m happy he picked up his game the last couple months. If he did opt out, the Sox could use that large sum of $$ on pitching. That’s what you have posted about not wanting Bregman to return. You would rather have pitching.
Cdc – If Story opts out, he will get at least $75M … bookmark this!
FPG
I will. I do not believe this…. Who, what team will invest that kind of $$ in a 33_ year old , oft injured, defensively average ss, possibly 2ndbaseman?? If he was 27 , maybe. No it’s not going to happen. I am shocked,you are taking this stance. Hopefully , next season when he is either the starting SS or 2ndbaseman for the Sox will prove that. I want him here , in one of those positions. SHOCKED!!!!!
Anyways, the Sox have there top 3 starters going against the Marlins,have to take at least 2 out of 3….
No way he opts out. If he does then I see a 3/50 being his ceiling. He’s providing a lot of value with his legs right now. I wouldn’t bet on that continuing for the next 3 years. Doubt any MLB club does either.
2/55 is a nice deal. If he’s able to keep this level of production going for 2 more years then he can get himself another nice (but smaller) 2 year deal.
Cdc – I’m confident they will win the series.
Big – You think if he opts out of $55M/2 it would be for $50M/3 ?
Wow … speechless.
He won’t opt out.
If he does that’ll be his offer. He wouldn’t be the first guy to misread his market and miss out on the bird in hand. This is a pretty irrelevant argue to me though. There’s about a .001% chance Story declines $55MM over the next 2
Jbig – I agree it’s certainly not a given he will opt out, it all depends on how he performs the next 6 weeks and hopefully the postseason. But the window is there, the free agent market is weak, and Darragh wouldn’t have written the article if it wasn’t a possibility.
As for players who have opted out and taken less total dollars, who has done that?
FPG
Sox are big favorites in all 3 games. Not that ,means much. It’s difficult to sweep any series , but 2 out of 3 for a team with playoff aspirations should be reasonable. Especially with our best 3 starters going. Is Rafaela slumping because he is playing 2ndbase. Has not been great defensively there either. 2ndbase has been bad defensively all year it seems. Any news on Mayer returning??
FPG
Just read the Sox remaining schedule consists of 24 out 40 games ,the team is under .500. one of the easiest . After the Marlins we have 9 games against the Orioles and the Pirates with 4 against the Yankees sandwiched in there. Gotta make some hay against the lesser trans. Are we going to face Skenes? He is incredible.
To be clear Darragh is looking for clicks for his employer. I don’t think that makes this possibility any more likely because he wrote it.
Cdc – I wouldn’t predict a sweep of any team except maybe Colorado, the Marlins are basically a .500 team.
Rafaela went on a hot streak last year too around the same time, he’s JBJ. Teams adjusted and he hasn’t adjusted back. I think he’s been solid at 2B, ironic him and Bregman have each had an error in each of the same two games.
Mayer has begun baseball activities, he’s playing catch. He’s really not needed now, only as a bench player.
Cdc – That’s just it, opposing pitchers matter more than just the opponent. Skenes and Keller are tough to beat. Kramer has been great and the O’s have some really good hitters. A’s have some very good hitters. No easy games coming up.
FPG
Wow, what a game ..
Giolito gave up 5 doubles but only 1 run. Only 3 hits offensively. Bottom of the 9th
walk,walk,hit batter ,Story time..
Friendly Fenway
23 wins in last 28 games 82% if my math is correct.
Cdc – Yeah everyone in the park knew when Simpson came in it was game over.
It was good to see Gio rebound, but the offense was atrocious. Sandy had the 2nd worst ERA in MLB and was hammered in his prior starts, but Romy Rafaela Narvaez Toro were totally overmatched.
Good chance for a sweep unless Bello doesn’t have it today.
FPG
Alcantara is a capable pitcher. Still coming back from injury. There was a reason a bunch of teams wanted him at the deadline. I look for him to be very good next year. Anyways
Fenway crowd got into Simpsons head. 15-2 last seventeen at the World Most Famous Ballpark. Lol
How about what the Brewers are doing … Incredible. Down big early 8-1 and comeback to win. Cool to see Yelich return to good form
FPG
Bello was not good his last time out against the Padres. Hopefully the home crowd gets him excited and ready to go. The Marlins starter has had some quality outings recently,1 real bad one also. That is a little concerning.
FPG
I was looking at projected playoff odds ( fan graphs, ESPN) and they still have the Yankees at over 10,% more likely to make the playoffs over the Sox. I find this puzzling. Though I guess I would not be shocked if the Yankees get it going.
Bias aside, I feel the Sox are a better all around team compared to the Yankees.. Thoughts???
Cdc – Agreed, with Rafaela at 2B the Sox are the better team. Their pitching is the difference. It was only hot starts from Goldie and Judge that carried them early on. Their bullpen is a mess and Boone is an idiot. Just like McCullough bringing in Simpson and his 7 ERA to face the top of the Sox lineup only because he’s a LHP. So incredibly dumb.
Cdc – Yes but right now Sandy sucks. And 3 of the worst hitters in MLB since July 1 are Rafaela, Narvaez and Toro. I said Rafaela’s OPS would be under .700 by end of season, its looking like it will happen EOM!
And no mention of the hero Story? Another 2 hits, another walkoff hit, ho hum. 😆
Jbig – Darragh is not going to risk his credibility by making stuff up, and opt-out news doesn’t generate clicks.
Fact is Story is a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen bases which is a club record.
Fact is Story is on pace for a 25/25 season.
Fact is today the NESN analysts picked Story to finish Top Ten in league MVP.
Fact is today the NESN analysts picked Story as team MVP.
He is much more valued than you think.
Best team in baseball?? Please elucidate.
Autocorrect. Hallucinate.
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b,
Nicely done, sir.
If he hits like 2018-2019 Colorado Trevor story then he should opt out, but that’s still good money left on his current contract
Nowadays short elite stints can get big paydays just look at Matthew Boyd
sad – That’s exactly what people here don’t realize.
He’s a solid experienced SS/2B who has hit .301 with a .868 OPS since June 7th and has played in 118 of 122 games this season. No way a team could get a player like that for less than 4 years at less than $30M annually.
Would I extend him for similar money? No, but I’m glad he’s got 2 (maybe 3) years left on his contract and I hope he stays.
He’d be leaving money on the table as well as leaving an organization that has been very patient with him. I think he stays
Rsox – No player makes decisions based on team loyalty. I mean what other choice did the Sox have? They gave him a guaranteed longterm contract, they had no option but to be patient.
Man you put a lot of work into this for still such an easy answer. He very likely won’t make $55 million in the rest of his career if he opts out.
Did – Yes because the market for defensively solid, experienced, healthy SS/2B who hits .300 with a .868 OPS is chock full. Dime a dozen, right?
There certainly aren’t many but what does that have to do with Trevor Story?
Did – It has EVERYTHING to do with Story!
Contracts are based on market value. His market value right now is quite high. Just having a player good enough and healthy enough to play every day at shortstop is a big deal, Story has the 7th-most innings at shortstop in MLB this year!
It’s just really funny how people here think they know what Story’s value is …. they clearly haven’t a clue, they have nothing to support their stance.
FPG
He is batting .256 with an obp .301 ,ops .720. for the season. Though he has been very good recently. You cannot just overlook a good portion of the season. Healthy,so far this season yes , but his track record is awful. You talk about Bregmans injury history being bad. No way Story opt outs. If he had an all-star season from the get go he might have the inclination to opt out , maybe but with his injury history I doubt it
Cdc – What people don’t realize, he’s been injured the past 3 seasons. He needed a couple months to get back in form, just like Giolito and any other player in his situation. That’s why we need to look beyond the full season numbers ;o)
I hope he does, but the chance of a meteor striking my house is higher.
Absolutely he should opt-out and almost certainly he will. He is going to be coming off a 3 WAR season and is a positive value defensive contributor at 2B, where there are few options more valuable than him (maybe Gleyber Torres, but it’s thin after him). He also has a great track record which illustrates he was simply not healthy for the past two seasons in Boston, and he’s only going to be into his age 33 season and probably has 2-3 more solid years of production in him. It’s a pretty low bar to reach in free agency, so even if things don’t turn out as lucrative as expected, it’s not like he’s going to lose tens of millions on the gamble.
He plays shortstop…exclusively.
Philly – Where were you in 2022 when he was one of the best defensive 2B in MLB? Come on now …..
fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?season1=2022�…
Third in DEF and OOA.
I’m talking about 2025. He’s not entering free agency as a second baseman, as this poster says.
Philly – As a multi-positional player he’s not exclusively a shortstop, and therefore brings more value because he can fill the needs of more teams.
He will play wherever the money is.
Again, I’m responding to the poster stating that he is currently a second baseman and would go into the offseason (if he opted out) with stats as a second baseman. That isn’t true. Yes, he’s played second base for the Red Sox in deference to Xander.
Story only played in 94 games in 2022.
If he opts out he’s a moran, no one is going to give him a better contract.
I don’t see anyone who would pay him $55 mill+ to play SS or 2b the next 2 years. UCL, labrum and hand injuries make him too much of a risk. He’s not a great pivot from Bichette at SS or Torres at 2b.
I think it’s ridiculous how many people want to bash Story here. Anyone who straight bashes via the one liner is ignorant of the facts. And they’re not watching. This is the first healthy season he’s had and it’s showing. His injuries were result of playing hard. They weren’t freak accidents or batting practice tweaks. He landed on his shoulder, diving after a ball in the gap. No kidding right now he is probably a top 10 shortstop. Yes, I said that. Check the numbers— the offensive numbers that is. The defensive numbers don’t do him justice. If you’re watching, you’ve seen that he makes all the easy plays in several very difficult ones. Let’s look at the list of short stops with 20 bombs and 20 bags then have another discussion. It’s not a matter of the fact that he’s hot lately. He’s finally healthy.
For how long?
Flap – Some people always have to bash some player. Now that Devers is gone they have chosen Story.
BTW – Story is middle of the pack on defense, 5th in MLB for DRS (min 1K innings). He doesn’t make a lot of acrobatic plays because he is trying to avoid injury, which is fine. His offensive production more than makes up for his being a solid but unspectacular fielder.
I checked his numbers on offense as you suggested. They show that Story is 5% below average and 25th among SS.
fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&sea…
Combine that with below average defense, -1 DRS and -4 OAA.
As a Red Sox fan I really hope he opts out. It won’t happen, but I can still hope for a miracle.
As a Red Sox fan, I do hope he stays for the next two years, and the young guns are worked around him.
This team is not where it is without him. You can’t just plug in. Mayer expect everything to be the same. It would be a huge loss.
I’d like to hear a player in this situation just once say no, what I’d like to do instead is sign a new contract with ( Boston in this case) for less money, because I have not lived up to my end of the deal. That would be honorable.
Gil Meche.
Michael Cuddyer.
rick – If you work, and you were injured on the job, would you want to make less because of the injury?
BTW – The Red Sox front office has proven to be one of the most dishonorable in MLB, therefore players should milk them for every penny they can.
With his durability, or lack thereof? No way. I do not foresee anyone topping what he stands to make if he finishes out his deal with Boston.
Is this supposed to be a poll? I missed the part where we vote. So, I’ll an ounce it here. No, he should not opt out.
Ok so announce autocorrects to ounce 🤷🏻♂️
Forget about the freaking money. What a great situation to be in for the rest of his contract.
One of the craziest questions I’ve ever seen posed on this site. This is the most obvious no that I’ve ever seen.
Almost no chance. The bare minimum he’d need his $55M/3, but the real offer would need to a good bit higher. He’d have to kill the ball over the next six weeks to even have a discussion.
JB
No way he opts out. $25million guaranteed the next 2 years $25 million team option in 2028. No team is coming close to giving him the type of deal. Has he been healthy this year? So far , yes. He has been good the last 2 months , . 256 ba .301 obp .720 ops , stats for the season. Average at best. If he was putting up numbers like he did in Colorado ,he may think about opting out ,but with his injury history ,I doubt it.
Absolutely not. If he does, shake his hand, say “Thank you for your service” and show him the door. What the Yankees should have done with Gerrit Cole.
The Red Sox are praying for an early Christmas present. Please, please.. opt-out !!! From a contract that never should have been given out to begin with… to a mediocre performance throughout its length so far…. to a..”We could never get this lucky for Story to opt-out!” If his agent convinces Story to opt-out, the Sox owe that agent a huge thank you! Not going to happen, but we can only hope it happens.