FORT MYERS, Fla. – As the Boston Red Sox continue to explore options for second base and third base during their spring training camp, Trevor Story remains a central figure in the infield discussions. This marks the second spring in a row where the team is evaluating Story’s fit between the two positions, with the veteran shortstop openly expressing his hopes for clarity soon.
Meeting with the media after arriving at camp, Story conveyed a respectful yet clear stance on where he would like to see himself positioned this season, emphasizing the value of a full spring camp to settle communication and chemistry within the infield unit.
“Ideally you’d like to get a full spring camp in with the infield unit as we have, just to go over communication style and what guys like,”
Story said from his locker.
“And those conversations are gonna be had, obviously, in the front office, and those guys are the ones that are making that decision. But yeah, hopefully sooner rather than later. And I think it’s just better for everybody.”
Infield Competition Marks the Spotlight for Boston’s Middle Infield Crew
The battle for second and third base primarily involves Marcelo Mayer, Caleb Durbin, and Romy Gonzalez, each bringing different skill sets and injury concerns. Mayer and Durbin are actively competing at both infield positions, while Gonzalez remains on the sidelines as he recovers from a shoulder injury sustained last season.
Mayer, a 23-year-old infielder developed through the Red Sox system, originally was a shortstop but spent most of his rookie season playing third base. After being called up on May 24, 2023, to replace the injured Alex Bregman, Mayer logged 248.2 innings at third base across 39 games, with supplemental time at second base (57 innings) and shortstop (3 innings). The Red Sox management believes Mayer possesses the versatility to handle all three infield spots as an everyday player, although his injury history remains a caution point.
Caleb Durbin, who will turn 26 soon, entered the majors as a second baseman but, like Mayer, found his path blocked and thus spent much of his rookie campaign on third base for the Milwaukee Brewers. Durbin played 1,060.2 innings at third base over 131 games and had limited appearances at second base (43.1 innings) and shortstop (4 innings). His adaptability and defensive capabilities make him a strong contender in the Red Sox infield mix.
Manager Alex Cora Provides Insight on Infield Prospects’ Progress
Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted that while third base feels natural to both Mayer and Durbin, they still need to refine their skills at second base. This assessment came after evaluating the players’ workouts, with Durbin stationed at third and Mayer taking reps at second.
“I think third base comes easy for both of them,”
Cora said Friday.
“Second base, they still have to work.”
Cora urged Mayer to spend additional time with coach Jose Flores to improve his double-play mechanics and other aspects unique to second base, distinguishing it from third base and shortstop. Flores’s specialized coaching focuses on fine-tuning infield fundamentals, which Cora believes will aid Mayer’s transition.
“It’s something I told Marcelo: try to spend as much time with Flo,”
Cora added.
“As far as like, turning double plays, starting a double play, and all that, because the third base part of it is very similar to shortstop.”
The manager also praised Durbin’s defensive versatility, highlighting his ability to turn double plays and execute plays up the middle during his limited time at second base.
“Caleb was solid at third base. The handful of games he played at second base he was able to turn double plays, make some plays up the middle. So we’ll see how it plays out, but I think both of them, they’re good defensively, and wherever they end up, they’re going to be solid.”
However, Cora emphasized the importance of positional stability, stating
“we’re not going to be moving around.”
He echoed Story’s sentiment, expressing hope that the organization resolves the infield composition promptly to maximize preparation time.
Additional Infield Depth Fuels Red Sox’s Roster Flexibility
Besides the primary contenders, other infield options include Kristian Campbell, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler, who provide depth and competition. Newly signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to contribute as a super-utility player, capable of covering nearly every position and filling in on Story’s scheduled rest days.
Trevor Story’s Health and Performance Enter This Season
After limited action caused by elbow and shoulder surgeries, which restricted him to just 69 combined games over the past two seasons, Story enters 2024 with renewed health. Last year he played 157 games, matching a personal best he first set in 2018. His offensive output included a .263 batting average, a .741 OPS, 29 doubles, and 25 home runs. Additionally, Story stood out on the basepaths, ranking in the 98th percentile in MLB for Baserunning Run Value and the 82nd percentile in sprint speed.
Avoiding Frequent Rest Days: Story’s Commitment to Consistency
Despite the Red Sox’s plan to manage Story’s workload by incorporating rest days, the shortstop has made it clear that he intends to stay on the field as much as possible. He acknowledged understanding the concept of load management but affirmed his physical readiness and desire to set a strong example for younger teammates.
“I understand the question and understand kind of the load management style of it, but yeah for me, I still feel as strong as I have at any time in my career,”
Story stated.
“Getting 115-plus games has kind of been my goal every single season, and being able to do that means a lot to me.”
“I think it’s a standard to be set for, kind of, the young guys too, like you don’t really take days off,”
he added.
“I don’t know if that’s the ‘old head’ in me or what, but I think that’s a mindset that you have to have in this game, because it starts now, and hopefully you’re into November.”
Story Steps into Leadership Role as Season Approaches
With the departures of Alex Bregman and Rob Refsnyder during free agency, Story assumes the role of the most experienced position player and a key clubhouse leader. He acknowledges the challenge of filling the leadership void and encourages his teammates to rise to the responsibility.
“It’s tough losing two guys like that,”
Story reflected.
“Those guys are great people, great teammates, great players, and they brought a lot to our team. So we have to figure out a way to make leadership go around a little bit, and I think some of these guys have to step up.”
“I guess it’s a good problem to have when you have guys that are coming up and they have to kind of grow into the player and the leader that you expect them to be,”
he continued.
“I’m always happy to be the one kind of leading that charge.”
Veteran Experience Brings Humor and Perspective to a Young Team
At 33 years old, Story has become known affectionately as ‘Unc’ by younger players on the team—a nickname implying an older, sometimes out-of-touch figure. Embracing this role with humor, Story jokes about maintaining his athletic edge despite the teasing.
“I feel great, I feel amazing,”
he said with a laugh.
“I just, I let them know that you can’t let ‘Unc’ beat you in a foot race, but that’s happened.”
Significance and Outlook for Red Sox Infield Decisions
The ongoing competition and evaluation for the second and third base roles highlight the Red Sox’s commitment to building a versatile and defensively sound infield. Trevor Story’s insistence on clarity and stability signals both his leadership and determination to contribute consistently. How the team balances the skills and developmental needs of Mayer, Durbin, and Gonzalez alongside Story’s veteran presence will shape Boston’s infield dynamics in 2024 and beyond.
With spring training progressing, resolving the infield picture quickly will allow the players to develop chemistry and maximize their performance during the regular season. Story’s approach to workload management and his experience as a leader will be crucial as the Red Sox aim to contend in a competitive American League East division.
