FORT MYERS, Fla. — When the Red Sox suddenly changed tactics over the winter and focused more on run prevention, they didn’t mess around.
The Red Sox traded two starting pitchers (Sonny Gray, John Oviedo) and signed another as a free agent (Rangers Suarez).
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They also understand that in order to reap the benefits of an improved rotation, they must also improve their infield defense after leading the league in turnovers last year.
As a result, they’ll bring in three new starters in the infield heading into the 2026 season: first baseman Wilson Contreras, third baseman Caleb Durbin and possibly second baseman Marcelo Mayer, though as Alex Cora pointed out on Friday, Mayer will have to earn his job first.
Meanwhile, shortstop Trevor Story, who is coming off a bounce-back season at the plate in 2025 but is below average in most defensive metrics, will be the only remaining player.
Largely due to a brief stretch of sloppy play in September, Story retained a minus-7 defensive rating this season. When it comes to above average, Story is -9.
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“We’ve talked about it — the backhand, to his right — that’s where he struggled last year,” Alex Cora said. “He’s a strength on the left side, a strength in the regular game. On the right side, he’s not, so he worked hard in the offseason to try to master that with his pre-pitch (setup). There were some adjustments there.
“As you know, he’s always looking for someone or something to help him, and I think pre-pitch wise it’s a lot different than last year.”
“I’m just looking for little ways to find more range wherever I go or just to get better in general,” Story said. “We looked at the numbers and the backhand (involving his right side) and I could be a little better at that. It’s really about the lead-up giving me an extra foot or two of angle to get to (the ball) and use my arm strength to deliver the ball.”
Even at age 33, Story is still an athletic shortstop who will throw the ball against the run often even when he doesn’t have to.
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“It’s all little things,” he said. “A lot of it is about pre-positioning and scouting, but if you can get a foothold somewhere, it means a lot.”
As the pitch progresses, Story no longer advances through his setup steps, but instead moves up and down to better position himself for the hit.
“Instead of adding two or three feet,” Storey said, “I created it back into more of an angle, both ways.”
When looking back at his first full season as a member of the Red Sox in 2025, Story considered his defensive performance to be “pretty solid,” except for one week in September when he committed nearly a third (six) of his errors this season (19).
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Those missteps also contributed to declines in some metrics this year.
“It bothers me,” Story said, “because I think overall, I’m having a good game. It’s kind of part of putting the season back together after being out for a few years. I’m not saying I’m tired, but it’s more about getting deep into these games and figuring out how to make adjustments when the time comes.”
Historically, Story said, he’s always favored a backhand catch to right, and he learned how best to catch the ball from former Colorado Rockies teammate Troy Tulowitzki.
“I like the backhand, especially the short backhand and running shots,” he said. “My athleticism helps make those plays — running throws, jump shots in the hole … those are always fun and I look forward to them. Any chance I get to do that, that’s what I’m after.”
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