Red Sox agree to a 6-year, $140 million deal with free agent shortstop Trevor Story
The Boston Red Sox finally landed one of the premier free agents.
Boston has agreed to a six-year, $140 million deal with infielder Trevor Story, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and USA Today’s Bob Nightingale. The massive deal also includes opt-outs according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post.
Story can opt out of his deal after the fourth season (2025), however, the Red Sox can prevent that if that pick up a seventh-year option for $20 million. The total value of the deal can be worth $160 million.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Story will play second base for the Red Sox. Story has played shortstop for the first six years of his career, all spent in Colorado. The new Red Sox infielder has made 733 appearances at shortstop while with the Rockies.
The acquisition of Story gives the Red Sox a much needed right-handed bat, especially after trading outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers back in December. Story also provides Boston insurance at the shortstop position in the event Xander Bogaerts opts-out and leaves via free agency following the season.
It has been speculated that Bogaerts could switch to second base and Story hill play shortstop. Bogaerts spoke to the media this past week down in Fort Myers and declared he’s a shortstop.
“I’m a shortstop, man,” Bogaerts said Tuesday. “That’s where I’ve played my whole career and obviously a position I take a lot of pride in... I love being there.”
The 29-year-old Story is a two-time All-Star and a two-tome Silver Slugger. He has a career .282 average with 158 home runs in 745 games. There is concern of Story’s stats outside of Coors Field. The last three seasons, Story has hit .236 away from Coors Field, including last season where he hit .203 at the dish.
Story’s contract is the biggest deal handed out by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. Prior to Story’s deal, the biggest contract handed out was the two-year, $14 million deal given to Kiké Hernández last winter.
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