GM Meetings: Red Sox’ Craig Breslow sets record straight on Trevor Story’s future position, club eyes frontline starter behind Garrett Crochet

The Red Sox quickly settled one debate heading into this offseason: where would Trevor Story play on the diamond next season?

While speaking with reporters at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made it clear he sees Story as the club’s starting shortstop in 2026.

Story exercised his option to opt for the final two years of his contract with the Red Sox this week and started 155 games at shortstop this season. He was subpar defensively, struggling with his range, recording negative-9 outs above average (the third percentile of MLB shortstops). He also ranked in the 10th percentile in fielding run value (-8) and 36th percentile in arm strength (82.3 mph), according to Baseball Savant. Story was ranked 20th out of 22 qualified MLB shortstops, finishing with a negative seven defensive runs saved in 1,371 1/3 innings.

“I’m aware of some of the errors. I’m aware of what some of the defensive metrics indicate,” Breslow said to Red Sox reporters in Las Vegas on Monday. “I also think that he brought a stabilizing presence to the infield. I think some of his errors were clustered toward the end of the season, in just a short time period. And also, he hasn’t played a full season in a really long time. I think he’s going into the offseason with no doubts about his health and with no doubts about his ability to perform at a really high level. I think we’re going to see even more production out of the next year.

“When Trevor was playing shortstop, we felt like balls that were put in play to the shortstop were going to be converted into outs. He and I have a great relationship, and the communication is very, very clear. The commitment we have to each other is to be honest with one another.”

Story had his first successful season as a member of the Red Sox, where he hit .263 with a team-leading 25 homers while driving in 96 RBI. If the Sox were to move Story off position and back to second base, where he played his first year in Boston, while Xander Bogaerts was still under contract, the club could have Marcelo Mayer man the position.

Mayer is a natural shortstop, coming up through the Sox’ system playing the position. He has also seen time at second base and third base in the minors and in the big leagues. The concern with Mayer is not whether he’ll produce as a big league shortstop; it’s whether he can be healthy enough to finish a full professional season.

A healthy 2026 season from Story will be crucial for the Red Sox as they look to get back to the postseason for a second straight season.

FanGraphs recently released their streamer projections for 2026, which factor in injury history and the natural age curve for players. The veteran projects the following offensively: 100 G, 433 PA, .246/.297/.412, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 15 SB, 26.7% K%, 6% BB%, 1.2 WAR.

FanGraphs expects a regression from Story and expects him to miss time for whatever reason. There is a 57-game drop-off from last season, as Story played in 157 games, tying the most games played in his career, a mark initially set in 2018 when he was with the Rockies. Despite the projections, Red Sox fans should have higher expectations for Story, which should include him having another 25-homer season and, if healthy, propelling him into a 2.5-3 WAR player in 2026.

The shortstop market is thin and led by Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette, but he’s more of an offensive threat than a defender. Ha-Seong Kim is a strong defender and would be an upgrade with his glove, whereas Story offers more upside with his bat.

Boston hasn’t committed to where Mayer will play next season, and with Alex Bregman a free agent and both sides looking to find common ground on a new deal, Mayer’s only logical spot in the infield would be second base, unless Breslow flips him in a deal for a frontline starter to put behind Garrett Crochet in the rotation.

“We saw a gifted defender, because this was a guy who has played shortstop his entire life, then took some reps at second base and looked completely comfortable and natural,” Breslow said. “Played third base for the first time over an extended period in the big leagues, starting with his debut. He played the part of a really good defensive third baseman. I think that versatility is going to be incredibly helpful. I think he can play above-average defense, probably, anywhere on the infield.”

The Red Sox could keep Story in the fold through 2028, holding an option for a third and final season, but it’s expected they’ll be more likely to buy him out for $5 million than exercise that option.

“Trevor decided not to opt out, and he, I thought, made some pretty pointed quotes about believing in the organization, the support he felt, and the direction that we’re headed,” Breslow said. “I subscribe to that position.

“Trevor and I have had a number of conversations this offseason, and he’s excited and anxious to take on the work this winter and to go into spring training with some clear development opportunities on the defensive side. We’ve discussed ensuring that we’re providing him with information to let him know how his performance is trending.”

The 32-year-old could have opted out and tested the free agent market but ultimately chose to remain in Boston.

“At this point in my career, it’s not about making decisions based on money. It never has been,” Story told NESN’s 310 to Left podcast this week.

“To me, it’s pretty simple. There’s not another organization I want to be a part of. I’m just in love with the place, and [I’ve] got some unfinished business.”

Story told teammates that after the season ended, he intended to honor the final years of his deal with the Red Sox.

“This is where I want to be,” Story says he explained to fellow Red Sox. “I came here for a reason, and we’re finally good. I’m not going to leave when it’s time to start skyrocketing. We just feel like it’s the best place to be in baseball right now, and we feel like it’s really close to being what we all imagine.”

RED SOX HUNTING FOR ‘FRONT OF A ROTATION’ STARTER

After watching the American League Wild Card Series loss to the Yankees in October, it was clear the Red Sox needed another top-of-the-rotation pitcher to be true contenders.

That is exactly what Breslow and his front office team will be looking for this winter.

“I don’t think we’re going to spend a ton of time trying to add a No. 4 or a No. 5 starter,” said Breslow. “If we’re going to make a starting pitching addition, I think it should be somebody who can pitch at the front of a rotation and start a playoff game for us.”

Outside of Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito were the Red Sox' other reliable starters. Bello was a dud in the postseason, and Giolito didn’t pitch, dealing with an elbow injury.

“Particularly someone that we feel like can pitch alongside or slot in behind Garrett and start a playoff game for us,” Breslow said. “Last season, Bello played that role for a majority of the season. Lucas played that role for a majority of the season. Because of the depth that we’ve built up over the last couple of years, we feel pretty good about just overall starting pitching. Kind of maybe Nos. 3ish through 10ish.”

The top name on the market to watch will be Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, who the Red Sox had expressed interest in at the trade deadline. Ryan is expected to be available again this offseason. If the Red Sox want to look elsewhere, they could turn their attention to Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, who is widely expected to be traded this offseason.

“When you have a significant piece in the final year before free agency, they have to listen," MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said of Peralta on Monday at the GM Meetings. "That is in their DNA. And one team I will mention... the Red Sox. The Red Sox, when you think of Garrett Crochet, and you consider what they have been able to build there, with the Red Sox getting back to the playoffs in 2025.

“They are—I think—one starting pitcher away from making a real run at this. We know they have an excellent farm system. They even have position players they could move from the major league club if they had to in Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. I think it's an interesting fit to watch moving forward, potentially the Brewers and the Red Sox, with the Red Sox having interest in one significant starting pitcher."

The 29-year-old is entering the final year of his deal after the Brewers exercised his $8 million option for next season. Peralta is a workhorse, pitching in 176 2/3 innings while posting a 2.70 ERA with 204 strikeouts to 66 walks. He also went 17-6, setting a career high for wins. He has won 70 games in his eight years with the Brewers.

The Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore is another young controllable option for the Red Sox. The southpaw is an intriguing option for the Red Sox, and he has two years of control remaining. The one drawback is that he’s a Scott Boras client, reducing the chances of getting an extension completed. He fits the mold of what the Red Sox have been wanting to target under Breslow: a premium trade asset who is young and controllable and offers a high ceiling.

Gore, who arrived in Washington in 2022 as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to the Padres, has ascended to ace status. He had an incredible first half for the Nationals, making the All-Star team. In 110 1/3 innings before the break, he was one of the league leaders in strikeouts with 138 to just 35 walks.

He looked like a blossoming ace but began to regress in the second half. In 11 starts, he collapsed, posting a 6+ ERA and striking out just 47 batters to 29 walks. His WHIP ballooned to 1.70, and opposing hitters feasted, hitting .288 against him. Once September rolled around, he landed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation and then again later in the month with a right ankle impingement.

Overall, Gore posted a 5-15 record with a 4.17 ERA with 185 strikeouts in 159 2/3 frames. Despite the second-half dip in production, Gore is in the prime of his career and could benefit from a change in scenery.

Breslow will use the GM Meetings to network and get an idea of who is available on the trade market as he plans out his strategy over the next few weeks.

“That’s part of the conversations that take place right now,” Breslow said. “You have a pretty good idea of where teams are around the trade deadline, and things change. Things change based on the way teams finish seasons, based on financial considerations, and based on a whole host of factors. And so we’re ... collecting information so that we can answer those questions more definitively.”

The free agent market is strong, with the likes of Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, Chris Bassitt, Shota Imanaga, Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen, and Brandon Woodruff among the top hurlers available.

“We’ll see what the trade and free agent markets dictate,” Breslow said. “There are compelling opportunities in both, we think. We also are mindful that while we believe we’re in a window to contend and to compete for the postseason and World Series championships, we’re also mindful of keeping one eye on the future.”

If the Red Sox were to sign any one of Valdez, Suárez, Cease, King, Gallen, Imanaga, and Woodruff, they would surrender draft pick compensation, because all received qualifying offers.

HEALTH UPDATES

Breslow offered an update on the health status of several young players—Triston Casas, Roman Anthony, and Marcelo Mayer.

Casas is coming off a significant knee injury, which made Breslow cautious about his recovery.

“I’m always reluctant to put timelines on things that are months away because you feel like you either meet them and everything is OK, or you don’t sometimes for no reason other than things pop up and there are questions about what the setback was,” Breslow said to WEEI’s Rob Bradford in Las Vegas. “Triston is anticipating being ready for spring training. Exactly what that looks like, we’ll find out. But he’s moving around really well. He’s committed to living in Fort Myers for the offseason to make sure he gets the treatment and support that he needs.”

Casas suffered a ruptured left patellar tendon on May 2, ending his season after only 29 games. The left-handed hitter is expected to spend the offseason at Fenway South in Fort Myers, working with the team on his rehab from his knee surgery.

“My goal is to be ready for Opening Day and to play first base,” Casas said in August. “I’m going to do everything I can to get there.”

Casas had gotten off to a slow start to the season offensively, hitting just .182 with three homers, 11 RBI, and a .580 OPS. He has been limited to a total of 92 games over the last two seasons. The left-handed slugger missed 98 games last season after he tore cartilage in his rib cage swinging in a game in 2024 while the club was on the road in Pittsburgh.

The Sox are looking to upgrade at first base to get consistent production for the first time in years at the position. It doesn’t seem like Boston is in any rush to get Casas back on the big league roster.

Anthony, who is coming off a third-place finish for American League Rookie of the Year, is expected to begin his regular offseason activities on schedule.  He missed the final month of the season after suffering a left-oblique injury, and the Sox’ lineup really didn’t look the same down the stretch before losing in three games to the Yankees in the American League Wild Card round.

Breslow is unsure whether Anthony would have been able to return if the team had they made it to the ALCS and World Series.

“Because once we didn’t have games to play, the need to accelerate the timeline obviously didn’t exist,” Breslow said. “And so we were able to take a little bit more conservative route just to make sure that everything was fully healed. But the most important thing right now, obviously, is that he is fully healthy and is having an unrestricted offseason.”

The rookie outfielder came into this season as MLB’s No. 1 prospect, and he tore up the minors before getting promoted to the big leagues on June 9. Initially, he struggled, going just 2-for-27 (.074) in his first nine games, but his bat exploded, batting .317 with seven home runs and a .910 OPS over a 62-game stretch from June 20 and beyond.

In a 54-game stretch that dated back to June 28, Anthony ranked first in the American League in multi-hit games (24), third in on-base percentage (.421) and hits (68), fourth in average (.329), and seventh in OPS (.933).

Breslow issued a challenge to Mayer, who was shut down for the third straight year with a season-ending injury. Mayer suffered a wrist sprain on a swing while in Philadelphia that required surgery.

“He needs to get bigger and stronger and be able to shoulder the workload of a full season,” Breslow said. “That’s what the conversations have centered around. To his credit, he’s committed to it. We’re really excited about what he’s going to become and what he’ll bring to spring training. In terms of identifying right now what his role might be, I think it’s probably a bit premature.”

Mayer has been a top prospect in the Red Sox system since he was drafted in 2021 but has dealt with nagging injuries over the course of his young professional career. The Red Sox expect him to be ready for spring training after undergoing a successful right wrist arthroscopy on August 20 after an attempt to treat the sprain with injections failed.

Barring a trade, Mayer is expected to be on the club’s Opening Day roster, but where he plays remains the million-dollar question.

“We saw a gifted defender,” Breslow said. “This was a guy who has played shortstop his entire life, took some reps at second base, and looked completely comfortable and natural. Played third base for the first time over an extended period in the big leagues, starting with his debut, and he played every bit the part of a really good defensive third baseman. I think that versatility is going to be incredibly helpful. I think he can play above-average defense, probably, anywhere on the infield.”

Breslow thinks that if Mayer can get stronger, it will help him offensively, and potentially the added muscle will also help him through a full baseball season.