Red Sox Stand Firm on Keeping Trevor Story at Shortstop

Boston manager Alex Cora says Story is their shortstop despite early defensive struggles.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player in motion, with sharp planes of color and form representing the complexities of defensive play in the modern game.A cubist interpretation of a Red Sox player's defensive struggles, highlighting the team's need to focus on their broader offensive woes.St. Louis Today

Despite speculation that the Boston Red Sox could move Trevor Story off shortstop due to his early-season defensive struggles, manager Alex Cora has made it clear the team is standing firm on keeping Story as their starting shortstop. Cora acknowledged Story's range and defensive outcomes have been inconsistent, but said the team still believes in him as their shortstop and that he has been elite at the position throughout his career.

Why it matters

The Red Sox's biggest issue so far this season has been their struggling offense, not Story's defense. Making a hasty change at shortstop would be an overreaction and wouldn't address the team's real problems. The Red Sox are only three games behind the division-leading Yankees, so they don't need to make drastic moves yet.

The details

Through the first 14 games of the season, the Red Sox have gotten off to a 5-9 start. While Story's defensive metrics have been poor, with him ranking in the 11th percentile in outs above average, manager Alex Cora has made it clear the team is not considering moving him off shortstop. Cora acknowledged Story's defense has been inconsistent but said the team still views him as their elite shortstop and that his range has actually been better than last year.

  • The Red Sox are 5-9 through their first 14 games of the 2026 season.

The players

Trevor Story

The Red Sox's starting shortstop, who has struggled defensively to start the 2026 season but has been an elite shortstop throughout his career.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who has stated the team is standing firm on keeping Story as their starting shortstop despite his early defensive struggles.

Marcelo Mayer

A top Red Sox prospect who is currently in the 76th percentile in outs above average, but whose time to take over the starting shortstop job has not yet come.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He is who he is. Range-wise, a lot better than last year. Outcome [has been] inconsistent with that. But we like him as the shortstop. He's our shortstop, and he's been elite throughout his career. You're going to go through [bad] stretches. It happened early in the season for him.”

— Alex Cora, Manager, Boston Red Sox

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to start Trevor Story at shortstop as they look to turn around their slow start to the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This situation highlights how the Red Sox are wisely avoiding an overreaction to Story's early defensive struggles and instead focusing on addressing the team's real issue - their struggling offense. By standing firm on Story at shortstop, the Red Sox are showing patience and faith in one of their key offseason acquisitions.