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Red Sox Seemingly Admitting Failure on $140 Million Bust

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 27, 2025 10:07 AM ET

After three-plus seasons of mediocrity and injuries, it appears Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox have seen enough of veteran infielder Trevor Story.

Boston won’t cut Story yet, not with two years and $50 million left on his contract. However, Cora sat his struggling shortstop on Sunday and went the extra step in saying he wanted Story to “disconnect.”

Managers have often cited giving slumping players a chance to “reset” during an off day. Suggesting a player should “disconnect” amid an 8-for-65 stretch, though, is something entirely different.

“It’s not a lack of working,” Cora said, via MassLive. “It’s been a lot. And maybe just ... back up and just watch the game from a different perspective.”

Story returned to the lineup Monday, batting seventh and going 1-for-3 with a walk in a 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s primarily hit fifth this season, though he’s started nine games in the cleanup spot.

Story quietly enjoyed a strong April, hitting .278 with five homers, 16 RBI, and a .757 OPS across 115 plate appearances. The Red Sox went 16-10 in that span, though perhaps Story’s 31-5 K-BB ratio should have been a red flag.

We can’t say the same for May, though. Story enters Tuesday batting .163 with a home run, five RBI, and a miserable .424 OPS in 85 plate appearances this month.

Although Story can opt out this offseason, he has no reason to test free agency. The Red Sox (or whoever employs him in 2026) owe him a guaranteed $25 million each of the next two years.

Story owns a .229 average with 27 homers, 111 RBI, and a disappointing .668 OPS across four seasons in Boston. If it’s any consolation to Cora, at least Story is well on track for his first 100-game campaign since joining the Red Sox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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