Trevor Story isn’t testing free agency. He’ll keep the final two guaranteed years on his deal with the Boston Red Sox. That's $25 million in 2026 and $25 million in 2027 with a $25 million club option (or $5 million buyout) for 2028. The decision follows a healthy 2025 rebound and locks in a clear number at short for Boston.
Payroll and winter plan
For the Red Sox, this is stabilizing.
Story fixed at $25 million, Boston’s 2026 payroll picture remains comfortably below the $244 million Competitive Balance Tax line, even as arbitration cases and adds roll in. Public trackers show room to maneuver, giving the front office space to chase a frontline starter if the fit is there. Story’s decision narrows the shopping list to pitching and a right-handed bat if they deal from the outfield.
Marcelo Mayer no longer needs to be rushed to shortstop. He can break in at third—especially with Alex Bregman opting out—or at second if the bat forces the issue. Story’s decision buys time and preserves leverage.
The story behind the 2025 Story
He hit.263/.308/.433 with 25 homers and 31 steals in 2025, producing a league-average 101 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR—solid starter value after two injury-marred seasons. Under the hood, the numbers were encouraging. His average exit velocity was in the low-90s (91.4 mph), a 47.0% hard-hit rate, and a 10.3% barrel rate. That’s enough thump to pair with the renewed running game and keep the line afloat even with a modest 5.0% walk rate and 26.9% strikeout rate. The defensive metrics lagged (negative Outs Above Average), which helps explain why he prioritized certainty over testing free agency.
The bat/speed combo and full season of reps fueled the bounce-back.
The shortstop market tightens at the top
Story staying in Boston removes a potential mid-tier option and likely subtracts a big-market bidder. The top of the free-agent board is Bo Bichette and Ha-Seong Kim, with depth options like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jorge Mateo and Miguel Rojas behind them. The Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays top the list of clubs actively seeking shortstops this winter; the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are also likely buyers if a premium option becomes available.
How this shapes the Red Sox
Boston’s payroll is clearer. With Story at $25 million, Masataka Yoshida in his final year and several cost-controlled regulars, the club has room to pursue pitching without bumping into higher-tier CBT surcharges. Expect the front office to shop from outfield surplus—Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela—if the return is multi-year rotation help. With Story set, the winter focus is converting outfield depth into innings.