After losing back-to-back outings to the lowly Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox hoped for better results when they began a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Instead, the Red Sox struggled offensively yet again as they fell 3-2 to the Brewers beneath the Memorial Day spotlight, marking the club's third straight loss.
Including the second part of Saturday's doubleheader with the Orioles, the Red Sox have only scored five runs in their last 31 innings of work — a completely inexcusable stat, regardless of how it's sliced. Although some Boston veterans have tried their best to get out of the current funk, others have been detrimental to the team's outlook.
That includes one struggling bat who's running out of second (and third, fourth, etc.) chances.
Red Sox Can't Afford to Be Patient With Trevor Story Amid 2025 Struggles
The 2025 campaign offered a fresh start to returning veterans around the Majors, including Trevor Story. Since joining the Red Sox on a six-year, $140 million contract during the 2022 offseason, the two-time MLB All-Star had only played 163 games in a Boston jersey due to injury, highlighting the need for his first healthy season in a long time.
A clean bill of health seemed to benefit Story as soon as the campaign began, as he recorded five home runs, 15 RBIs, three walks, six stolen bases, and a .337/.366/.528 in his first 23 games (89 at-bats). Despite still being healthy, it's been all downhill for Story since then, with only one HR, three RBIs, and while horrendously slashing .126/.185/.16 in the last 28 games (111 ABs) before Monday's loss.
What's worse is that he isn't showing any signs of improvement. Including the series-opening loss to the Brewers, the Red Sox infielder is now 2-of-18 (.111) with six strikeouts and a pair of walks in his last five games. A small sample size, sure, but one that highlights how frustratingly bad Story has been when Boston needs him the most.
With his poor performances mounting, it's time the Red Sox seriously discussed Story's future. He's under contract through 2027 with a $25 million club option in 2028, and it's hard to imagine Boston wanting to continue paying him like an All-Star when he's done everything except perform like one.
Whether it's selling him off to a team foolish enough to believe in a potential turnaround, or designating him for assignment, the Red Sox can't afford to continue giving Story chance after a chance. Regardless of his track record or contract, his presence in the lineup is doing Boston more harm than good, and it might be time to give his spot to another player, whether they're already in the system or an outside reinforcement.
It'd be one thing if Story was showing promise, but his poor performances have outweighed the few good ones he's had in the last month-plus. All stories must eventually end, and it's high time the Red Sox finally closed this chapter.