The Boston Red Sox are navigating a critical crossroads in their 2025 Season as shortstop Trevor Story continues to struggle, according to an MLB insider familiar with the team’s internal strategy. Story, once a pivotal figure in Boston’s infield plans, has yet to recapture his early-career form, pushing the organization to consider adjustments to stabilize the lineup.

Trevor Story’s Offensive Decline

At age 32, Story signed a $140M, six-year deal with the Red Sox in 2022 after standout years with the Colorado Rockies. However, injuries and a shift to second base initially disrupted his impact in Boston. While he showed flashes of his former talent in 2022 (16 HR, 66 RBIs), his performance has steadily declined. In 2024, he batted just .255 with two home runs in 26 games before a season-ending injury-0.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>Shoulder injury. Entering 2025, expectations were high for him to reclaim his role at shortstop following Xander Bogaerts’ departure. Yet through May, he’s hitting .225 with a .663 OPS—far below his career averages of .265 and .833. His strikeout rate (28.8%) has risen sharply while his walk rate (8.2%) has dropped, signaling lost plate discipline.

Red Sox’s Internal Strategies

Team leadership, led by Baseball Ops Chief Craig Breslow, is exploring options to address Story’s slump. Key considerations include:

• Position Flexibility: Shifting Story to second base or DH to reduce defensive strain, though manager Alex Cora insists on keeping him at shortstop to focus on “getting him going offensively.”
• Performance-Based Rest: Reducing playing time for mental/physical recovery, mirroring a strategy used with Rafael Devers earlier this season.
• Roster Depth: Integrating prospects like Roman Anthony (.364 AVG, 1.062 OPS in Triple-A) and Kristian Campbell (compared to Story for defensive Versatility).
• Contract Realities: Navigating Story’s 2028 team option decision amid his underperformance and Free Agency risks.

Broader Roster Challenges

Story’s struggles compound existing issues: Boston ranks 12th in the AL in runs scored, and their pitching staff remains inconsistent despite offseason additions like Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler. Internal tensions also arose from Devers’ frustration over positional shifts. However, optimism exists in their top-10-ranked farm system and Story’s history of resilience (e.g., his 2023 comeback from elbow surgery).

Conclusion

The Red Sox must act swiftly on Story’s situation to maintain AL East competitiveness. Options include roster adjustments, developing prospects, or hoping for a player turnaround. As one insider stated: “This isn’t just about 2025—it’s about long-term success. We have time-sensitive decisions on Story’s contract and our prospects.”

Keywords: Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox, MLB Insider