If ex-All-Star returns to form, Red Sox could climb back into contention
During Trevor Story's 112-game absence while he was recovering from major elbow surgery, the Red Sox struggled to find consistent offensive and defensive production in his place.
Boston started six different players at shortstop: Enrique Hernández (54 starts), Yu Chang (30), Pablo Reyes (15), David Hamilton (10), Christian Arroyo (two) and Bobby Dalbec (one). That group ranked last in the majors in WAR, per FanGraphs, and Reyes is the only member of this group still on a major league roster.
Boston shipped Hernandez back to the Dodgers, and Chang was designated for assignment to make room on the active roster for Story. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Dalbec have spent the majority of the season in the minor leagues, and Arroyo, who primarily plays second base, was also DFA'd after the acquisition of second baseman Luis Urías from the Brewers.
In the five games that Story has played in since returning to the majors, he's batting .368 with a .400 on-base percentage and is slugging .579. He has also stolen three bases, taking advantage of the new baserunner-friendly rules.
On defense, Story hasn't made an error. One of the highlights of his play in the field so far is this diving stop and throw from his knees to retire Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.:
The Red Sox are 4-1 in games Story has played. If Story stays healthy, locks down shortstop and returns to the 30-home run, 20-steal, All-Star form he showed with the Rockies, he could be the boost the Red Sox need to climb back into playoff position.
“You see him play, the way he moves (as one of) us shortstops, it’s like, it can’t be that easy,” manager Alex Cora told The Athletic. “He’s fast but quick. You see him running, he’s very fast, but then in the infield he is so quick. His first step is amazing. Hopefully, just like offense is contagious, defense is contagious, and [his teammates] see him going about it the right way and locked in every pitch."
Entering Tuesday's game against Washington, the first of a three-game series, Boston is three games behind the Blue Jays for the third American League wild-card spot. With a turbo-charged Story, the Red Sox could close the gap soon.
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