Red Sox $140 Million Veteran in 'DFA Territory' After Harsh Benching
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The Boston Red Sox are back to a sub-.500 record as their losing streak grew to three games on Monday.
The team has been hit with some bad injuries and several areas of the roster are underperforming, making it hard to pinpoint blame for the rough start. But as shortstop Trevor Story endures a brutal slump in the fourth year of a $140 million contract with the team, he could soon be the center of a drastic move.
"This is a guy who came out super hot," Chris Cotillo of MassLive said during a recent episode of the "Fenway Rundown" podcast with Sean McAdam. "We were talking on this show about, will he opt out at the end of this season? I don't think he will. Will the Red Sox opt out I think is the bigger question."
Cotillo was referring to a $25 million opt out clause in Story's contract for 2026. But he added that the Red Sox could consider a more sudden change for Story as he's now in danger of being designated for assignment (DFA) and essentially released from the team.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 6: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the dugout during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 6, 2024...
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 6: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the dugout during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 6, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by) More
Sloter/Getty
"You hate to see a guy who's a good guy and a good clubhouse leader, someone you and I both really like, be in DFA territory," Cotillo added.
In 203 at-bats for the Red Sox so far this season, Story is slashing just .222/.269/.325 with 65 strikeouts against only 45 hits. Recently, that slump was bad enough for manager Alex Cora to bench Story against the Baltimore Orioles.
Story returned to bat seventh against the Milwaukee Brewers and went 1-3. However, the Red Sox could soon feel they're unable to carry Story on the roster any longer, particularly as they look to get at-bats for top prospect Marcelo Mayer after Alex Bregman returns to third base.
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