Trevor Story opts in with Red Sox; Jarren Duran reaches $7.7M deal for 2026, Liam Hendriks option declined

The Red Sox can pencil Trevor Story in at shortstop for next season.

Story, 32, has decided to opt into the final two remaining years of his deal, earning $55 million over that span, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

The Sox originally signed Story to a six-year, $140-million deal in March 2022. The deal allowed the veteran to opt out and become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2025 season. If Story had chosen to opt out of his contract, Boston could have voided that decision and added an extra year at $20 million to the deal for 2028.

He will earn $25 million over each of the next two seasons with a $25 million team option with a $5 million buyout for 2028.

Story is coming off his most successful season in Boston, where he powered the Sox’ offense during the final four months of the season. The veteran shortstop hit .263 with a team-leading 25 homers while driving in 96 RBI in 157 games. A healthy Story reminds Sox fans why he was one of the most electrifying middle infielders in the game—turning double plays with ease, driving balls into the Monster seats, and stabilizing a defense that too often unraveled without him.

Over the course of his tenure in Boston, Story has dealt with numerous injuries, limiting his time on the field. He underwent elbow surgery in January 2023. As Story ramped up his offseason throwing program, he started experiencing pain in his throwing elbow and ultimately underwent surgery. Instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery, he went with the less invasive version, opting for the internal brace procedure.

Story underwent shoulder surgery in April 2024, after dislocating his shoulder and fracturing the glenoid rim diving for a ball in Anaheim. He missed a chunk of the season before returning later that summer. Injuries have limited Story to just 69 games from 2023 to 2024.

Boston had a veteran left side of the infield with Story at shortstop and Alex Bregman at the hot corner playing third base. Bergman chose to leave his contract with the Red Sox and will explore his options on the open market.

As the Red Sox head into the offseason, they have numerous question marks in the infield. If Bregman bolts as a free agent, the Sox will need to find an external option—unless they move Marcelo Mayer to third base. There’s uncertainty at first base as Triston Casas battles back from season-ending knee surgery, and there’s no clear-cut second baseman.

DURAN AVOIDS ARBITRATION

The Red Sox and outfielder Jarren Duran have agreed to a one-year, $7.7-million contract for 2026, according to multiple reports. His new deal will include the potential of $75,000 in performance bonuses.

Duran had an $8 million team option for 2026, but the Sox declined it, paying him a $100,000 buyout and negotiating a new deal for next season. He will earn an extra $25,000 if he reaches 450 plate appearances, another $25,000 if he reaches 500 plate appearances, and another $25,000 if he reaches 550 plate appearances.

The 29-year-old outfielder is still under team control through the 2028 season with two more arbitration-eligible years after the 2026 campaign.

Duran had a down year compared to his breakout 2024 season. He batted .256 with 16 homers, 41 doubles, 13 triples, 84 RBI, 86 runs, 60 walks, and a .774 OPS in 157 games.

This new deal doesn’t stop the Red Sox from potentially trading Duran this winter. Boston has a bloated outfield with Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida, and Duran on the roster. Rob Refsnyder was in the mix last season, but he is a free agent this offseason.

Anthony just signed a new long-term extension and is untouchable. Rafaela took home his first Gold Glove in center field and is the only right-handed hitter in the mix. It doesn’t mean he’s untradeable; it just seems unlikely the Sox will move the versatile player.

Abreu and Duran are the two logical options to consider in the trade market.

“I would argue that having four outfielders capable of taking 550 at-bats is a great place to be and I have a ton of confidence in Alex’s ability to manage the people and the personalities,” Craig Breslow said of his outfield situation. “We have to think about what is best for the organization, what’s best for building a winner in 2026.”

Duran’s name surfaced in trade talks around the trade deadline this summer, but Breslow hung onto the speedy outfielder as the club remained firmly in the playoff hunt.

Abreu is coming off back-to-back seasons where he’s won the Gold Glove in right field. If the Sox trade him, they can shift Anthony to right field and utilize Duran in left field. Boston will take step back defensively with Anthony in right field full-time. Anthony finished in the 52nd percentile (84.6 mph) in arm strength this past season, while Abreu ranked in the 97th percentile (94.2 mph), according to Statcast.

He also finished second on the team in homers with 22, behind Story. The Sox believe Abreu has the potential to be a 30-home-run hitter in the future. Duran is more durable than Abreu, but his style of play tends to wear down as players hit their 30s.

HENDRIKS OUT

Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks pitched in just 14 games over the course of his two years in Boston. As expected, the Sox declined his $12 million mutual option Tuesday, paying him out a $2 million buyout and effectively becoming a free agent.

Hendriks signed with Boston in 2024 and missed all of that season rehabbing back from Tommy John surgery. He entered into spring training this season with the hopes of being the closer. Ultimately, Aroldis Chapman was named the closer and finished the season as an All-Star.

During his limited time in Boston, Hendriks struggled in 14 outings (6.59 ERA) before being placed on the IL with a hip issue at the end of May. He also dealt with right elbow issues, which impacted him this season.

Hendriks, who will turn 37 in February, is a three-time All-Star but has pitched in just 18 2/3 innings over the last three years. Despite the injury issues this season, Hendriks intends to pitch in 2026.

“Very much so,” said Hendriks to reporters back on Sept. 13. “I got a new elbow for a reason. If I wasn’t going to continue playing, I probably wouldn’t have gone through that whole process.

“There’s definitely a lot of desire left for me to get back out there because I really feel like I haven’t come back, even since the cancer journey.”