The Boston Red Sox currently are one of the worst teams in the American League, and the MLB with a record of 17-23. Their next series against the Philadelphia Phillies gives them a chance to try and right the ship, but then they follow it up with a road series against the red hot Atlanta Braves.
If they want to get back in gear, all their players will need to contribute. However, they do have a few persistently bad bats in their everyday lineup, with the worst being shortstop Trevor Story. With that in mind, the Red Sox might need to take a page from the playbook of their basketball neighbor, the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics and Al Horford
Al Horford
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
From 2021 to 2023, Al Horford was basically the Celtics’ go-to starting center due to constant injuries to their other bigs. However, after 2023, they realized that having an aging 36-year-old center be your starter is not in the interest of a contending team; especially one that has a young core.
With that in mind, they decided to go and trade for Kristaps Porzingis, pushing Horford to the bench, where he flourished.
The Red Sox need to do the same with Story
Trevor Story Marcelo Mayer
© Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Story fits the same mold as Horford. He’s an aging player in a position that really requires a younger guy for athleticism’s sake. And, he’s not a generational player, which would let him keep the spot.
Hitting-wise, he's also not doing good. He’s slashing .200/.236/.284/.520 with seven doubles, two home runs, and 18 RBI in 38 games.
So, a good idea would be for Story and the Sox’ young second baseman, Marcelo Mayer, to flip positions. At the same time, Story should probably be moved down in the order permanently, as he normally hits in the 2-4 range, and honestly should be in the 7-9 range.
Story’s potential ending in Boston
Trevor Story, a shortstop for the Boston Red Sox makes a play during a spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at JetBlue Park or Fenway South in Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Andrew West/The News-Press & Naples Daily News/USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The endgame for Story in Boston is to trade or sign his replacement, someone who can be a middle-of-the-order bat and has some pop. The latter would make Story a very expensive bench bat, but it’s worth it for contention.
Hopefully, Story finds some life soon, so the Sox can at least put off these thoughts for a while.
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