The Boston Red Sox are in a tough spot. Sitting at 17-23, they're among the worst teams in the American League, and their upcoming schedule isn't doing them any favors. After a series against the Philadelphia Phillies, they'll face the red-hot Atlanta Braves on the road. If they want to turn things around, every player needs to step up—but one bat in particular is holding them back.
Shortstop Trevor Story has been a persistent problem in the lineup. Through 38 games, he's slashing just .200/.236/.284/.520 with two home runs, seven doubles, and 18 RBI. That's not the production you need from a middle-of-the-order hitter, especially on a team trying to climb out of a hole. So, what can the Red Sox do? They might want to look across town for inspiration.
The Boston Celtics faced a similar situation a few years ago with Al Horford. From 2021 to 2023, Horford was their starting center out of necessity, but he was 36 years old and clearly past his prime. The Celtics realized that relying on an aging player as a starter wasn't the best path forward for a contending team with a young core. So, they traded for Kristaps Porzingis, moved Horford to the bench, and watched him thrive in a reduced role.
Trevor Story fits a similar mold. He's an aging player at a position that demands athleticism, and he's not a generational talent who can defy Father Time. The Red Sox have a young second baseman in Marcelo Mayer who could benefit from a position change. Flipping Story and Mayer—moving Story to second base and Mayer to shortstop—could help both players. At the same time, Story should be dropped in the batting order. He's been hitting in the 2-4 spots, but his numbers suggest he belongs in the 7-9 range.
Ultimately, the long-term solution for Boston is to find Story's replacement—someone who can provide a middle-of-the-order bat with some pop. Whether through a trade or a free-agent signing, the Red Sox need to follow the Celtics' blueprint: recognize when a veteran is no longer the answer and make the tough decision to move on.