BOSTON – Rather than exercise his opt-out clause, veteran shortstop Trevor Story has decided to opt in to the remaining two years and $50 million on his contract with the Red Sox, a source told MLB.com.
The club has not confirmed the news.
Although the general expectation was that Story would choose to opt in after having his first injury-free season since 2021, the fact he will return brings some stability to the Red Sox heading into the Hot Stove season.
Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman informed the club on Monday that he is opting out of the final two years of the three-year, $120 million deal he signed with Boston back in February.
The Red Sox hope to be able to find common ground with Bregman on a new deal. But should Bregman wind up elsewhere, the return of Story would be all the more crucial.
Story is a calming veteran presence on the Sox, and manager Alex Cora credited the shortstop with holding the team together after star slugger Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants in June.
In 2025, Story provided the type of season that eluded him in the first three years of the six-year, $140 million pact he signed with Boston in March 2022.
The 32-year-old played in 157 games, hit 25 homers, drove in 96 runs, stole 31 bases and recorded a .741 OPS. He had a bWAR of 3.8.
Prior to this season, Story had played in just 163 games over three seasons with the Red Sox, producing 21 homers and a .693 OPS.
With Story back in the fold, the expectation is that he will remain at shortstop in 2026, which would put Marcelo Mayer – a natural shortstop – at either third or second base in his second Major League season.
