The Boston Red Sox saw Trevor Story return to form during the 2025 season, and manager Alex Cora expects that level of play to continue in 2026. After a difficult couple of injury-marred seasons, Story’s 2025 resurgence has raised optimism surrounding his contributions for the upcoming year.
Story struggled with health issues in both 2023 and 2024, managing only 274 plate appearances across 69 games in those two years combined. However, the infielder played a full slate of 157 games in 2025, producing a solid line of .263/.308/.433 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs, marking his highest game and RBI totals since 2018.
The Team’s High Hopes for Story’s Continued Impact
Entering the fifth year of his six-year contract with Boston, the 33-year-old shortstop is seen as a critical offensive force for the Red Sox. Alongside his power numbers, Story also set a personal best with 31 stolen bases last season, showcasing his all-around athleticism.
We expect him to go out there and perform,
Cora said.
We know who he is, what he’s capable of doing. He’s a force running the bases. He can hit the ball out of the ballpark, and last year he drove in runs. So he’ll be in the middle of the lineup, either the top or the middle of the lineup.
Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
With third baseman Alex Bregman having left for the Chicago Cubs in free agency, Story’s offensive production will be even more crucial for Boston’s lineup. Cora has praised Story’s current state, noting positive signs from early camp preparations.
He’s in a great place mentally, physically, you see him [he looks] amazing,
Cora said.Â
The way he goes about his business and the way he shows up, we expect the same thing.
Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
Overcoming Challenges: Story’s Rough Patch in 2025 and Defensive Concerns
Despite a strong year overall, Story’s 2025 campaign was marred by a difficult month in May that caused some fans to question if his peak years were behind him. Cora addressed those concerns directly, attributing the slump to just one challenging period.
He only had one bad month last year,
Cora said. It was May. Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
During May, Story slashed a disappointing .158/.200/.232 with just two home runs and seven RBIs, and he struck out 35 times in 95 at-bats. His batting average dropped to .214 and his on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) plummeted to .582 by early June. Following that slump, Story recalibrated and improved dramatically for the remainder of the season.
He just had a rough May,
Cora explained. “He actually hit the ball hard in April. Had a tough [May], chased a lot of pitches. Swung and missed a lot. But then he reset it and he took off.
He made the adjustments, and he was amazing.
Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
Although his offensive struggles were limited to a single month, defensive issues persisted throughout the season. Story led all American League shortstops with 219 putouts but also committed a league-high 19 errors, seven of which occurred in September. Defense remains a critical aspect of his game given the demands of the shortstop position.
Addressing Story’s defensive problems, Cora pointed to mechanical flaws that he believes have been corrected.
Bad mechanics, Cora noted.
He seems more in sync now. His arm is playing better. He’s using his lower half a lot better than what he did last year.
Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
Looking Ahead: The Significance of Story’s Role for Boston in 2026
With a season of demonstrated resilience and improvement behind him, Trevor Story’s 2026 expectations are high among the Boston Red Sox and their fanbase. His ability to maintain offensive production and shore up his defense will be vital for Boston’s competitiveness, especially after losing a key player in Alex Bregman.
How Story navigates his fifth year under contract will shape not only the team’s infield stability but also its offensive potential. Manager Alex Cora’s strong endorsement and detailed observations suggest confidence that Story can fulfill these roles, making his 2026 season one to watch closely.
