Trevor Story is opting in to the ultimate two years of his contract with the Purple Sox per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo went on so as to add the next:
With an infield stuffed with query marks because the entrance workplace faces the upcoming winter workload, Story sticking round makes issues a lot much less murky. The Sox’ shortstop had the flexibility to choose out of this deal, forgoing the ultimate two years of the contract through which he’ll receives a commission $25 million per season. Nevertheless, if he did, Craig Breslow and firm additionally had the potential to counter the opt-out by tacking on a 3rd yr at $25 million in 2028. It wasn’t seemingly, but when he managed to get to the free agent market, you had been basically speaking about needing to rebuild the infield from scratch.
All of that’s now wiped away. Story can be a member of the Boston Purple Sox for each 2026 and 2027, and suddenly, the man who’s had uncertainty surrounding him for a lot of his Purple Sox tenure is now the infield rock to construct round. Baseball stays unusual and exquisite.
Okay, now for the piece of the puzzle I discover probably the most fascinating: Story virtually actually left cash on the desk to choose in to this deal. Not solely would he be a beautiful center infield candidate on this upcoming free agent market, however he additionally couldn’t be prolonged a Qualifying Provide since he was already given one by the Colorado Rockies following the 2021 season. This is able to push his inventory even greater the way in which groups closely guard their draft picks.
So the massive query is, why did he choose in? There are a couple of potentialities, however most of them are good for the Purple Sox. With the danger of this turning into too sunshine and rainbows, let’s dive into them:
- The primary and most evident potentiality is what Cotillo talked about. Story likes the place this going, can see all of the younger expertise within the room, and needs to be a part of no matter comes subsequent for the Sox. Once more, sunshine and rainbows, however Story does genuinely appear to love being a veteran voice within the room that helps steer rookies in the best route. Not each man is keen to try this.
- Story could really feel a way of loyalty to the membership after they didn’t reduce ties with him in Might following his abysmal begin to the season on the plate. This isn’t hyperbole! The Sox simply may’ve dumped Story round Memorial Day. In actual fact, many followers had been calling for it. After all of the accidents from earlier seasons and his immense struggles on the plate in his first 60 video games, it was trying more and more seemingly that this contract simply wasn’t going to work out. However throughout an ominous time for Story, the workforce caught with their struggling shortstop and made it clear he was their man. The endurance paid off for everybody! Story discovered his stroke on the dish and closed the season with a .294 / .337 / .503 (839 OPS) output from June seventh onward. All this whereas being almost excellent on the basepaths and making defensive performs that left followers in late summer time questioning why they ever needed him DFA’d within the spring.
3. Story could worth stability at this level his his profession.
I say this third one with full hypothesis, however I additionally say it as anyone who has in all probability watched Trevor Story play extra baseball video games than anyone exterior of his quick family and friends. This can be a little bit of lengthy journey to undergo, however I feel it’s wanted for context right here:
When Story was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2011, I used to be doing minor league experiences on Purple Row, and the consensus within the business was he in all probability struck out an excessive amount of to have a great (if any) main league profession forward of him. He was a notable prospect, however needed to combat his strategy to the massive leagues.
Then he was seemingly blocked by Troy Tulowitzki, so hypothesis swirled about what place he would possibly play (I’m positively responsible of a few of that protection). After that, and some very stable seasons for each him and the workforce, the Rockies fell off and commerce rumors swirled (each throughout and popping out of Covid). However as a result of the Rockies are the Rockies, they didn’t transfer him after they completely ought to have, and Story misplaced a yr the place he ought to have completed the season on a contending workforce.
After that very irritating deadline in 2021, Story told reporters the following:
“I’m confused and I don’t have actually something good to say concerning the scenario and the way it unfolded.”
So then he goes to free company and indicators with the Purple Sox, initially agreeing to play second base whereas the workforce nonetheless had Xander Bogaerts. Once more, we will speculate why he did this (possibly it’s as a result of the Purple Sox provided him probably the most cash, possibly it’s as a result of he knew he’d finally play brief, or possibly it’s as a result of he actually simply needed to play right here), however it was type of amusing that he once more discovered himself blocked by a face of the franchise shortstop carrying No. 2.
Then inside a yr, Bogaerts leaves in free company when the Padres provided him a mountain of cash, and impulsively the place is Story’s. Or no less than, it will have been if accidents didn’t pile up. He performed in simply 69 video games in 2023 and 2024 mixed.
Then comes this yr, which we’ve already coated, and boy has all this been a tumultuous journey!
All this mess is to say that Trevor Story in all probability loves the thought of simply being the Purple Sox shortstop on what must be a aggressive workforce. He can do his factor on a regular basis, stay a go-to man in a clubhouse he likes, and never have to fret about all the skin stuff so long as he performs properly.
If that is a part of his calculous, I’m actually comfortable for him as a result of he’s in all probability had one of the unsure careers of any massive identify man who’s solely performed for 2 franchises. He needs to win whereas he nonetheless has one thing left within the tank, in all probability thinks he can do it right here, and values what the Purple Sox convey to the desk. He’s not an ideal participant, however man there’s rather a lot to love right here.
For a man who has spent most of his profession being underappreciated (once more, hand raised), at the moment is a feel-good second. Each he, and those that watch him play have an opportunity for this to finish on a really rewarding be aware.
