Breslow Weighs Boston’s Shortstop Options as Story, Arias Loom

WHO:

MLB Trade Rumors - Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the club has “a ton of confidence” in shortstop Trevor Story but has not decided who will play shortstop.

MLB.com - Story is entering the final season of his six-year, $140 million contract; he played 64 games in 2026 after sports-hernia surgery.

MLB Trade Rumors - Franklin Arias, ranked the No. 2 prospect in baseball by many evaluators, is a potential future shortstop; he turns 21 this month.

MLB.com - Triston Casas, first baseman Willson Contreras and prospective second baseman Curtis Mead are also part of Boston’s roster picture; Mead fractured his right wrist in his first game for Boston.

MLB Trade Rumors - Boston’s outfield roster includes Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran and Masataka Yoshida.

WHAT:

The Boston Globe - Craig Breslow acknowledged that Boston’s farm system has been thinned by trades and prospect promotions, potentially limiting its trade discussions this winter.

The Boston Globe - Breslow said Boston could replenish its talent pipeline through upcoming drafts and international signing periods; he also said positional flexibility gives the team options for building a competitive roster without necessarily trading major leaguers.

The Boston Globe - Breslow said Boston might trade players from its major-league roster to upgrade for 2027, protect its remaining prospect inventory, or open playing time.

The Boston Globe - The Red Sox traded Connelly Early to Washington for Curtis Mead, Marcelo Mayer to San Francisco for Erik Miller, and five prospects to Baltimore for Adley Rutschman.

The Boston Globe - Former Red Sox assistant general manager Taylor Smith, now the A’s president of baseball operations, said he expects Arias to be ready for the major leagues and called him a “very, very welcome addition.”

The Boston Globe - Smith said Boston’s returning rotation, including young pitchers, could be better in 2027.

MLB.com - Story hit .235/.271/.351 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 64 games and 251 at-bats in 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - In 2025, Story played 157 games, hitting .263/.308/.433 with 25 home runs, 31 stolen bases and a 102 wRC+.

MLB Trade Rumors - Arias hit .331/.388/.506 across 42 Triple-A games after a July promotion.

MLB Trade Rumors - Breslow called an Arias Opening Day competition “premature” and said the offseason focus was helping him get “bigger and stronger” and improve on both sides of the ball and in baserunning.

MLB Trade Rumors - Story is owed $30 million: a $25 million salary and a $5 million buyout for his 2028 club option; he has full no-trade protection.

MLB Trade Rumors - Boston has previously been linked to shortstop trade candidates Zach Neto and Otto Lopez.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Breslow discussed Boston’s shortstop plans at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas.

WHEN:

MLB Trade Rumors - Boston’s primary-shortstop decision concerns the 2027 season.

MLB.com - Story was out from May 15 to Aug. 29 in 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors - Story turns 34 this month.

WHY:

The Boston Globe - Breslow said Boston’s young, controllable players at several positions give the club time to replenish its farm system.

MLB Trade Rumors - Story’s repeated injuries and uneven performance complicate relying on him; Arias’s youth and the risk of a difficult first promotion complicate relying on the prospect.

MLB Trade Rumors - Trading for Neto or Lopez would require a “massive package of talent,” while Boston may prefer not to pay heavily with Arias approaching the majors.

HOW:

MLB Trade Rumors - Boston could keep Story at shortstop until Arias is ready, then move Story to second base or a reserve role; designated-hitter at-bats could also factor into the arrangement.

MLB.com - Breslow said decisions about Story would be discussed privately between him and Story before being made public.

Boston has not chosen its 2027 shortstop, despite expressing confidence in Trevor Story. Story’s injuries complicate the decision, while top prospect Franklin Arias may need more development. Boston could keep Story or trade roster players, protecting prospects and exploring flexible roles.