Red Sox’s $140M Infield Puzzle: Trevor Story’s 2025 Resurgence Creates “Good Problem” for 2026.vc
After a 157-game, 25-homer comeback season, Story’s return to form is a huge win. But his contract, health, and the presence of Alex Bregman create a complex “balancing act” for Boston.
BOSTON — The return of a healthy and productive Trevor Story to the Boston Red Sox lineup is undeniably a positive for 2026. But as fans and analysts celebrate, his resurgence also raises a nagging question for an infield configuration that is now full of complex variables.
On the one hand, Story’s 2025 season offers fresh hope. After two injury-marred years, he was a pillar of durability, appearing in 157 games. He posted a .263 batting average (his best since 2020) and mashed 25 home runs. That level of production, combined with glimpses of his elite athleticism at shortstop, represents a huge improvement.
Yet, this success is exactly what creates the puzzle. With Story set to return to his regular role, what becomes of the rest of the infield—especially given the other high-priced and high-potential pieces on the roster?
Why Story’s Return Creates a Question
The issue is not just one player, but the combination of several factors:
- Contract and Expectations: Story is under contract through at least 2026, with a club option for 2028. That contract size means he has priority, putting pressure on the club to allocate playing time wisely.
- Other Infield Assets: The Red Sox added Alex Bregman for his leadership and offensive value. His presence, which Story himself has acknowledged changed expectations, adds another All-Star-caliber bat that needs a position.
- Defensive & Health Concerns: Despite the 2025 uptick, some scouts remain skeptical about Story’s long-term suitability at shortstop. He has endured multiple injuries (elbow, shoulder), and his defensive metrics have taken a hit during his Boston tenure.
The 2026 Infield Scenarios
If Story takes up the primary shortstop role, it limits flexibility and may force a defensive compromise elsewhere. The alignment decisions must account for the entire unit, not just Story’s individual success.
- Scenario 1: Story Locks in at SS If Story stays at shortstop, Bregman likely plays third base (his natural role), but this could block the development of younger infielders waiting in the wings.
- Scenario 2: Story Moves to 2B If Boston moves Story to second base to reduce stress on his arm, the team must either find a new shortstop or shift Bregman to short—which is not his ideal defensive position. This opens questions about defensive cohesion.
- Scenario 3: Story Rotates Given his injury history, a part-time or rotating role could be an option. But this throws into question whether the Red Sox will get the full value from his significant contract.
Conclusion: A “Good Problem”
Red Sox fans may be tempted to over-react to Story’s bounce-back season and assume the infield will align seamlessly. But this overlooks the complexity of the situation.
The return of Trevor Story is unquestionably a big win. He brings regained offensive punch and veteran experience. At the same time, it adds one more difficult question to the Red Sox’s infield puzzle: Where does everyone fit, and how do you maximize talent while minimizing risk?
Boston may have improved in one major area, but they now face a nuanced balancing act to turn that individual improvement into a truly optimized infield.
