In Major League Baseball, it’s common for teams to have at least one contract they wish they could undo, as big-money deals often decline due to injuries or aging players. For the Boston Red Sox, that deal is one of their key signing. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently labeled his six-year, $140 million contract as Boston’s most regrettable entering the 2025 season. The Red Sox still owe the shortstop $72.5 million from 2025 to 2027.
Once a top-tier shortstop with the Colorado Rockies, where he hit 24+ homers annually (except for the shortened 2020 season) and made two All-Star teams, his production has nosedived in Boston. Since signing in March 2022, injuries have limited him to just 163 games out of a possible 486. Hand and heel issues restricted him to 94 games in 2022, elbow surgery cut his 2023 season to 43 games, and shoulder surgery limited him to only 26 games in 2024. Though he returned late last season, his performance has been a far cry from his Colorado days. In Boston, Story has posted a .693 OPS—well below the .863 mark he held with the Rockies.
While limited playing time has made it difficult for him to regain form, Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the front office are left to wonder if Story will ever bounce back. With a player opt-out after the 2025 season, it’s likely Story will stay put, as he probably won’t command a similar salary on the open market.