In the top of the second inning against the last-place Colorado Rockies, Trevor Story fired an errant throw on a routine grounder off the bat of Thairo Estrada. What should’ve been the first out of the inning became a fielding error, and boosted the Rockies’ win probability by 6.4%.
It wasn’t a hard-hit ball (just 79.2 mph off the bat) or a challenging play. It was a routine grounder with a routine throw that sailed, and it encapsulated a growing problem for the Boston Red Sox.
Story was once the shortstop you could build a defense around. A plus arm, steady glove, and instinctive range made him a mainstay in the Rockies’ infield and a prized pickup for the Red Sox in 2022. But as the 2025 season rolls on, it’s becoming harder to ignore an uncomfortable truth: Story’s defense is slipping and costing Boston games.
The Metrics Tell a Story of Decline
In 2025, Story has committed seven errors in 762.7 innings over 87 games at shortstop, with a .980 fielding percentage and a dWAR of just 0.8. His range factor (4.07) is down significantly from his peak seasons in Colorado, where he regularly topped 4.5.
While those numbers might not scream disaster, they paint the picture of a former Gold Glove-caliber shortstop hovering around average—if not worse. And they stand out when the mistakes come against teams like the Rockies, who are actively chasing the worst record in MLB history.
Errors Are Adding Up—and Coming at the Worst Times
The timing of these mistakes has amplified their impact. The Red Sox don’t have the margin for error (literally or figuratively) to absorb defensive lapses from their highest-paid infielders. Every mistake counts—and Sunday’s was another momentum shift that Boston couldn’t afford.
No Backup Plan—and No Real Escape
The Red Sox are stuck. Ceddanne Rafaela is already covering center field most days. David Hamilton has upside, but still needs polish. And Story, with three years left on his deal, isn’t going anywhere without a seismic roster shake-up.
That leaves manager Alex Cora in a bind. Does he bench a veteran leader with a $140 million contract? Rotate him with younger options? Or hope Story finds his form again?
None of those options solves the underlying issue: Boston needs better defense up the middle, and it’s not coming from No. 10.
Story’s Glove Is Becoming a Problem the Red Sox Can’t Ignore
Trevor Story used to save runs. Now he’s costing them. Monday’s throwing error against a last-place Rockies team was the latest sign that the 32-year-old shortstop is no longer the defensive pillar Boston thought it was getting.
And as the playoff race heats up, that may be one of the Red Sox’s most enormous liabilities down the stretch.
Unless Story can quickly clean it up, Boston may be forced to reckon with a hard truth: their shortstop can’t be trusted in the field anymore.
Red Sox $140M Player’s Defense Is Quietly Becoming a Liability