Red Sox: Trevor Story Trade Rumors Face 10-5 Rights Hurdle

The Boston Red Sox are unlikely to trade shortstop Trevor Story this winter, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey, because Story's $25 million salary, age, injury history and 10-5 veto rights make a deal extremely difficult to complete. Story played just 64 games for Boston in 2026 after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. With top prospect Franklin Arias close to the majors, the Red Sox still appear set to keep the 33-year-old Story in Boston for the 2027 season.





Why is a Trevor Story trade unlikely this winter?


The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey called a Trevor Story trade "unlikely" this winter in her latest Red Sox notebook. McCaffrey pointed to Story's salary, age and injury history, and to a protection Story holds that many veterans never reach.


Story has 10-5 rights because Story has played 10 years in the major leagues and five straight years with the Boston Red Sox. A player with 10-5 rights can veto any trade, so the Red Sox cannot move Story to a team Story does not approve.


"Trading Story seems unlikely given his bloated salary, age and injury history," McCaffrey wrote. "However, if the Red Sox were willing to eat much of his salary or were willing to trade him along with top prospects such as outfielder Justin Gonzalez or catcher Franklin Primera, they could find a suitor."


McCaffrey also reported that designating Trevor Story for assignment seems unlikely. The Trevor Story contract carries a $25 million salary, and Boston has not made a habit of simply cutting big-money contracts.





What did Trevor Story do when healthy in 2026?


Trevor Story was productive for the Boston Red Sox when Story was on the field in 2026. After Story returned from the injured list, Story hit .291 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .442 slugging percentage in 23 games down the stretch.


The problem for the Boston Red Sox was availability. Story played just 64 games in 2026 because of the sports hernia surgery. In five seasons in Boston, Story has played more than 100 games only once, the 157-game season Story produced in 2025, when Story ranked among the best shortstops in baseball.


That split is the whole Trevor Story debate in Boston. The bat still plays when Story is healthy, and Story is only 33 years old. The question is whether Story can stay in the Red Sox lineup for a full season.





How does Franklin Arias change the Red Sox shortstop picture?


Franklin Arias is the reason the Trevor Story trade rumors will not fully go away. The Franklin Arias Red Sox prospect timeline has the young shortstop on the doorstep of the majors, and Boston must eventually decide how Arias and Story fit together.


Boston Sports Journal noted this week that the free-agent shortstop market offers little help, and that chasing a younger shortstop such as Elly De La Cruz or Zach Neto would likely cost the Red Sox Franklin Arias plus more prospects. Boston already paid a heavy prospect price to acquire catcher Adley Rutschman at the trade deadline.


One option discussed in coverage of the Red Sox infield is a position shift rather than a trade. The Red Sox could move Trevor Story to designated hitter, play Franklin Arias at shortstop and keep Curtis Mead at second base. That alignment would keep Story's bat in the Boston lineup while reducing the daily wear on Story's body.



What happens next for Trevor Story and the Red Sox?


The most likely outcome is the simplest one: Trevor Story opens the 2027 season with the Boston Red Sox. A trade would require Boston to absorb salary, possibly attach a prospect, and get Story's approval under his 10-5 rights, all for a limited return on a player coming off a 64-game season.


For Craig Breslow and the Red Sox front office, keeping Story is also a bet on the healthy version of Story. If the .291 hitter from the final 23 games of 2026 shows up for a full season at Fenway Park, the Red Sox shortstop question answers itself.


Frequently Asked Questions


Can Trevor Story block a trade from the Boston Red Sox?

Yes. Trevor Story holds 10-5 rights after 10 years of major league service and five straight years with Boston, so Story can veto any trade the Red Sox agree to.


How much does the Trevor Story contract pay?

Trevor Story carries a $25 million salary with the Boston Red Sox, a figure that makes a trade harder for Boston to complete without eating money.


Who is next at shortstop for the Boston Red Sox?

Franklin Arias is Boston's top young shortstop option behind Trevor Story. Arias is close to the majors, and one discussed path is Arias at shortstop with Story shifting to designated hitter.


Sources:

https://www.si.com/mlb/red-sox/onsi/red-sox-trevor-story-offseason-trade-idea-face-major-hurdle-pat3

https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2026/10/17/mlb-notebook-could-red-sox-trade-trevor-story-weak-shortstop-market-creates-intriguing-possibilities

Location: Boston, MA, USA

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