Trevor Story Excited to Return Despite Trade Rumors: 'I Saw Them

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Boston Red Sox were not secretive about their search for a shortstop at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline.

Trevor Story, the organization's one of the highest-paid position player and a shortstop, saw just how aggressively they pursued upgrades at the position and admittedly breathed a sigh of relief when they were unable to attain one -- knowing that he'll once again have an opportunity to fill that role.

“There was speculation, for sure. I saw it,” Story said on Wednesday, as transcribed by MassLive's Chris Cotillo . “But that’s the business side of (the game). I can’t really control that, especially when I’m not playing. It unfolded how it did. Obviously, I’m happy about that and excited to get back in there, be part of this and contribute all I can to this incredible turnaround.”

Boston was tied to Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but was unable to successfully convert on any of those conversations and instead turned its attention toward now-former Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.

It's safe to say that leaves a bit of a hole at shortstop, with Story's long-term absence from sports hernia surgery leaving the club to rely on the likes of Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard, and Tsung Che-Cheng.

Story will almost certainly get the chance to be the everyday option when he does return because of his status as a leader on the club, his relatively steady defense, and offensive upside -- and the return could come sooner rather than later as he maintains that a rehab assignment is on the horizon.

“We’re re-assessing at the end of the week, how everything went, then what it looks like going forward,” Story said. “I’m getting to a point where we’re touching close to top speed. Now, it’s about how my body responds."

The Red Sox will certainly appreciate having another option, but they need the veteran to play to the standard that he set in 2025 and not 2024 or 2023. If he's going to earn his spot back, he'll have to do exactly that -- earn it.

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