Boston, October 26, 2025
News Summary
Trevor Story’s uncertain future with the Boston Red Sox is a focal point in their roster planning after a successful 2025 season. He holds an opt-out option after the season which could lead him to either stay for $55 million over two years or seek a larger contract. His decision, alongside third baseman Alex Bregman’s, will significantly influence the infield structure and overall team strategy for the upcoming season.
Boston — Trevor Story’s contract situation with the Boston Red Sox sits at the center of roster planning for 2026 after a rebound 2025 season, and the decision he makes about his opt-out will shape both his financial future and the team’s infield construction.
Key developments
Trevor Story missed most of the first three years of his contract with the Boston Red Sox due to major arm and hand injuries. Story’s current contract is worth $140 million over six years with an opt-out option after the 2025 season. After a resurgent 2025 season, Story has not yet opted in for 2026, leading to speculation about him opting out to seek a larger contract on the open market. If Story opts in, he would earn $55 million over the next two seasons. If he opts out, the Red Sox have the option to re-entend the contract, adding a guaranteed seventh year worth $25 million in 2028.
Why the decision matters now
The timing of Story’s choice is critical for the Red Sox because the infield picture is fluid. The Red Sox’s left side’s infield is uncertain, with third baseman Alex Bregman reportedly opting out and Story holding an opt-out clause. Boston’s infield lineup for 2026 remains undetermined, with both Story and Bregman’s decisions holding significant weight in shaping the roster. The team must also address its middle infield depth: In addition to Story, the Red Sox must address their second base situation, which has been unknown for nearly a decade.
Performance and consistency
Story posted clear signs of resurgence during 2025 but finished with mixed results. He had a career turnaround in 2025 after a rough start, becoming one of the most valuable players on the team, amassing 25 home runs and a 3.0 fWAR ranking him fourth among position players. Story batted .302 with a .795 OPS in his last 23 games of the regular season, but finished the year with mixed offensive and defensive numbers. Overall season metrics reflected both gains and concerns: Story’s final stats showed a .308 OBP and a 26.9% strikeout rate, indicating a struggle with consistency at the plate. Defensively, his defense slumped towards the end of the season with significant throwing errors, finishing with a -8 fielding run value.
Financial and roster options
From a roster-building perspective, the Red Sox can pursue several paths. One option is to keep Story under the existing deal by having him opt in, which would retain a proven contributor at shortstop and provide short-term certainty. Another route is to negotiate an extension: Offering Story a one to two-year extension at a lower annual value (around $15-20 million per year) could provide cost control and continuity for the Red Sox. An extension could also provide benefits to Story: An extension could also provide Story with long-term security and symbolize trust and loyalty between him and the team.
Contract mechanics to note
- If Story opts in, he would earn $55 million over the next two seasons.
- If he opts out, the Red Sox have the option to re-entend the contract, adding a guaranteed seventh year worth $25 million in 2028.
Team outlook and predictions
The broader expectation around Boston is that the team will seek stability on the left side of the infield while managing payroll and youth development. There is a sense that Story feels loyalty and appreciation toward the Red Sox after those difficult years. That dynamic, combined with roster needs and salary considerations, feeds into speculation and negotiation strategies. There is speculation that Story may opt out but the Red Sox could negate that by extending his contract. Short-term projections lean in one direction: The predictions lean towards Story opting in, creating a more stable shortstop position for the Red Sox, while Bregman’s future remains uncertain as he may seek a larger contract elsewhere.
Implications for younger players
Any decision on Story will influence playing time and development for emerging infielders. Story’s decision will impact both his financial future and the Red Sox’s infield plans, particularly with young players like Marcelo Mayer emerging. The overall infield situation remains dynamic: The overall infield situation is fluid, with potential changes expected at all four positions before the next season begins.
Short summary
Trevor Story’s choice about his opt-out after 2025 is central to Boston’s offseason planning. The club and player have clear financial options on the table, performance history that includes a strong late-season run and lingering defensive concerns, and a roster context marked by uncertainty on the left side of the infield and beyond.
FAQ
Q: Did Trevor Story miss time earlier in his contract?
A: Trevor Story missed most of the first three years of his contract with the Boston Red Sox due to major arm and hand injuries.
Q: What is Story’s current contract?
A: Story’s current contract is worth $140 million over six years with an opt-out option after the 2025 season.
Q: Has Story made a decision about 2026?
A: After a resurgent 2025 season, Story has not yet opted in for 2026, leading to speculation about him opting out to seek a larger contract on the open market.
Q: What happens if Story opts in or opts out?
A: If Story opts in, he would earn $55 million over the next two seasons.
A: If he opts out, the Red Sox have the option to re-entend the contract, adding a guaranteed seventh year worth $25 million in 2028.
Q: How did Story perform in 2025?
A: He had a career turnaround in 2025 after a rough start, becoming one of the most valuable players on the team, amassing 25 home runs and a 3.0 fWAR ranking him fourth among position players.
A: Story batted .302 with a .795 OPS in his last 23 games of the regular season, but finished the year with mixed offensive and defensive numbers.
A: Story’s final stats showed a .308 OBP and a 26.9% strikeout rate, indicating a struggle with consistency at the plate.
A: His defense slumped towards the end of the season with significant throwing errors, finishing with a -8 fielding run value.
Q: What is the broader roster impact?
A: The Red Sox’s left side’s infield is uncertain, with third baseman Alex Bregman reportedly opting out and Story holding an opt-out clause.
A: Boston’s infield lineup for 2026 remains undetermined, with both Story and Bregman’s decisions holding significant weight in shaping the roster.
A: In addition to Story, the Red Sox must address their second base situation, which has been unknown for nearly a decade.
A: The overall infield situation is fluid, with potential changes expected at all four positions before the next season begins.
Q: What are possible contract negotiation outcomes?
A: Offering Story a one to two-year extension at a lower annual value (around $15-20 million per year) could provide cost control and continuity for the Red Sox.
A: An extension could also provide Story with long-term security and symbolize trust and loyalty between him and the team.
Q: What are the expectations?
A: There is a sense that Story feels loyalty and appreciation toward the Red Sox after those difficult years.
A: There is speculation that Story may opt out but the Red Sox could negate that by extending his contract.
A: The predictions lean towards Story opting in, creating a more stable shortstop position for the Red Sox, while Bregman’s future remains uncertain as he may seek a larger contract elsewhere.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract total | $140 million over six years |
| Opt-out timing | Opt-out option after the 2025 season |
| If Story opts in | $55 million over the next two seasons |
| If Story opts out and Red Sox extend | Guaranteed seventh year worth $25 million in 2028 (Red Sox option to re-entend) |
| 2025 offensive highlights | 25 home runs; 3.0 fWAR (fourth among position players); .302 with a .795 OPS in last 23 games |
| 2025 consistency concerns | .308 OBP; 26.9% strikeout rate; -8 fielding run value |
| Extension proposal idea | One to two-year extension at around $15-20 million per year |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Bosox Injection: Latest Trevor Story Update
- MassLive: Red Sox Roster and Infield Mix
- Newsweek: Trevor Story Contract Update
- Boston Herald: Red Sox Report Card on Trevor Story
- Google Search: Trevor Story Red Sox Contract News
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