Red Sox Alex Cora offers 2-word response on benching Trevor Story
“Very simple.”
That’s all Red Sox manager Alex Cora needed to say when asked about his decision to bench $140 million shortstop Trevor Story.
The brief response speaks volumes about Story’s ongoing struggles at the plate. The 31-year-old infielder is hitting just .233 with a .298 on-base percentage and .644 OPS this season. His power numbers have been particularly disappointing, with only 5 home runs and 28 RBIs across 73 games.
Story’s recent performance has been even more concerning. Over his last 15 games, he’s batting a meager .196 with 17 strikeouts. The slump comes at a critical time as Boston tries to stay in the wild card race.
Cora’s decision to sit Story isn’t just about sending a message – it’s about trying to spark something in a player the organization heavily invested in. The Red Sox signed Story to a six-year, $140 million contract before the 2022 season, expecting him to be a cornerstone of their infield.
Injuries have complicated Story’s Boston tenure. He missed most of 2023 after elbow surgery and the first two months of this season with a shoulder injury. But now healthy, the production simply hasn’t matched the contract.
What makes this situation tricky is that Story remains an elite defender. His 8 Defensive Runs Saved rank among the best at shortstop. The problem is entirely with his bat.
For now, the Red Sox will likely give Story some time to clear his head and work on his swing. But Cora’s terse response suggests patience may be running thin. The team needs more from their high-priced shortstop as they push for a playoff spot.
