Veteran shortstop Trevor Story is staying with the Red Sox.

The 32-year-old has decided to opt in and play out the remaining two years and $55 million on his contract, according to an industry source. He is said to appreciate the organization and likes the direction it is headed.

Story initially signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox in March 2022. The deal allowed him to opt out and become a free agent after the 2025 season. If he had chosen to opt out, the Red Sox could have voided the opt-out by adding an extra one-year and $20 million to the deal for 2028.

Instead, he will remain with Boston for at least the next two seasons, earning $25 million each year. He has a $25 million team option and $5 million buyout for ‘28.

Story had a strong season in 2025 after missing time the previous two years due to arm injuries. He batted .263 with a .308 on-base percentage, .433 slugging percentage, .741 OPS, 25 homers, 29 doubles, 96 RBIs and 91 runs in 157 games (654 plate appearances) while helping Boston to its first postseason berth since 2021. While Story always seemed likely to return instead of opting out, a weak free agent class of shortstops (outside of Toronto’s Bo Bichette) — could have been an enticing factor if Story wanted a longer deal.

Story underwent major elbow surgery in January 2023 and major shoulder surgery April 2024, limiting him to 69 games total in 2023-24. He played just 163 games over the first three seasons of his contract before finishing tied with Jarren Duran for the team lead in appearances this past year.

Story suffered a left shoulder subluxation diving for a baseball just eight games into the 2024 season. He underwent an arthroscopic repair of the posterior labrum, with an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture of the glenoid rim. That surgery initially was expected to end his 2024 season but he returned to play 18 games in September.

Story struggled to begin the 2025 season, batting .214 with a .261 on-base percentage, .321 slugging percentage and .582 OPS in his first 61 games (250 plate appearances) through June 6. But after a horrific May in which he hit .158 with 35 strikeouts and a .432 OPS in 101 plate appearances, he posted a .294/.337/.503/.839 line over his final 96 games (404 plate appearances) from June 7-Sept. 28.

He made hard contact throughout the season, finishing in the 82nd percentile in average exit velocity (91.4 mph) and 73rd percentile in hard hit percentage (47.0%). Known for being an elite defender, Story had a down year in the field. He had negative-9 outs above average and negative-7 defensive runs saved in 1,371 â…“ innings at shortstop.

The Red Sox were anchored by a veteran left side of their infield in 2025 with Story at shortstop and Alex Bregman manning third base when healthy. Bregman, unlike Story, opted out of his contract and is now a free agent, so the Red Sox will either need to re-sign him or fill that hole this winter. Boston enters the offseason with questions all over the infield, but now knows Story will be in the fold, likely as the shortstop. Boston could also consider other moves that would force Story to play second base, a position he adequately manned in 2022 when Xander Bogaerts was still on the roster.

The Red Sox have first baseman Triston Casas set to return from a season-ending knee surgery, as well as lefty masher Romy Gonzalez and second-year man Marcelo Mayer in their infield in some form. As of now, there is uncertainty at three of the four infield spots.

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