Boston Red Sox Sign Trevor Story

Red Sox Add More Bang With Story

The best hitter left in free agency was signed on Sunday morning when the Boston Red Sox inked Trevor Story to a six-year, $140 million deal. The contract comes with an opt out after four years, making Story a major part of Boston’s lineup for the foreseeable future. The Red Sox still have the fourth-best World Series odds in their own division behind New York, Toronto, and Tampa Bay at 20-1, but they are looking to remain competitive in a very good AL East.

Boston's Lineup Gets Even Better

The Red Sox had one of the best lineups in baseball last year. Boston ranked third in the majors in batting average and second in slugging percentage, and now the Red Sox are even better. Story was a little underwhelming in 2021 with an .801 OPS, but he was one of the best 20 hitters in baseball in 2018 and 2019. The former Colorado shortstop had a .914 OPS with a 5.6 WAR in 2018 and a .917 OPS with a 6.4 WAR in 2019.

Story will likely hit in the middle of Boston’s lineup, and he will have plenty of talent around him. Rafael Devers smashed 38 home runs with a .890 OPS last season. Xander Bogaerts was tied for the team lead in WAR and led the Red Sox with a .295 batting average, and J.D. Martinez smashed 28 home runs while posting an .867 OPS. Story should have no trouble replacing Hunter Renfroe’s production after he was traded for Milwaukee in exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr. and two prospects.

Boston’s big concern is its pitching staff. The Red Sox ranked 23^rd in WHIP and 15^th in ERA last season. Nathan Eovaldi is the nominal ace of the rotation, but 42-year-old Rich Hill figures to be a major part of the rotation. Michael Wacha partially rejuvenated his career with Tampa Bay last season, but he was one of the worst starters in the majors in 2019 and 2020.