Holding court with Red Sox beat reporters on Day 1 of the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas on Monday evening, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow hit on several topics, most noteworthy among them that he is keeping an open mind on who will start at shortstop in 2027.
Incumbent Trevor Story, who has missed significant time with injuries in four of his first five seasons with the Red Sox, is entering the final season of his six-year, $140 million contract.
Meanwhile, shortstop Franklin Arias is the No. 2 prospect in the game per MLB Pipeline, and he could be knocking on the door after playing the final 42 games of his breakout 2026 season at Triple-A Worcester.
After having his best and most durable season for Boston in 2025, Story sustained a sports hernia injury that required surgery in 2026 and was out from May 15 to Aug. 29. In 64 games and 251 at-bats, Story had a batting line of .235/.271/.351, with five homers and 29 RBIs.
“We know what Trevor is capable of doing when he's healthy and performing,” Breslow told reporters. “This year was disruptive for a number of reasons: the injury, some struggles at times. I think we're always evaluating these things. We still have a ton of confidence in Trevor, but any decisions like that are going to take place between Trevor and me far before I speak to anyone publicly.”
In Story’s first season with the Red Sox, in 2022, while Xander Bogaerts was still around, he made all 92 of his starts at second base. Could Story move off short again in what is likely to be his final season in Boston?
“Again, it feels like we're probably getting multiple steps ahead,” said Breslow. “Everything that I've seen and known and know about Trevor is that he's a phenomenal teammate who cares deeply about winning. But beyond that, I think we're speculating.”
What about Arias?
Breslow was asked if Arias will be given a chance to win a job in Spring Training.
“You know, all the conversations that we've had with and about Franklin at this point are targeted on how we make the most of this offseason for him,” Breslow said. “Getting bigger and stronger, continuing to push him on both sides of the ball, baserunning as well. So that's what our focus is, and we'll figure out the rest.”
Winter ball for Casas?
Triston Casas, once the first baseman of the present and future for the Red Sox, has dealt with major injuries the last three seasons and didn’t play at all in 2026. He still has Minor League options, and at the Major League level, he serves as injury protection if first baseman Willson Contreras or another hitter sustains an injury.
“In a lot of ways, a healthy Triston is what we talk about when you think about guys that control the zone and don't really chase. He will take walks, can hit the ball out of the park and can use the wall in left,” said Breslow. “Health has been kind of the hurdle, but you know, he feels good. We feel good about where he is right now. We're going to do everything we can to get him on the field and keep him on the field. At this point, it's been a long time since he's faced Major League competition. So exactly what that's going to look like, I'm not really sure. But I think the talent is still there.”
Interestingly, Breslow said Casas may play winter ball in the coming weeks.
Fit for new coaches
In recent weeks, the Red Sox have added Jason Bell from the Astros and Shelley Duncan from the Yankees to manager Chad Tracy’s staff. But as of yet, the team hasn’t identified their specific roles. The Sox haven’t named a first- or third-base coach yet.
“We feel pretty confident that Shelley will take one of the bases, and we're going to figure out which one. It's a bit fluid, given we may make additional staff hires,” Breslow said. “Jason Bell as a field coordinator, he’ll be able to touch a bunch of different pieces of the Major League group, has experience working with outfielders and infielders, so you can cut that in a lot of places.”
In Duncan, who managed at Triple-A for the Yankees the last three years, the Sox add a position-player coach with Major League experience.
“Trace recognized an opportunity to add some Major League experience, and Shelley has kind of a big, gregarious personality, an uber-competitive guy that hates to lose, and by all accounts, someone who is able to build, like, really meaningful relationships with players, willing to speak hard truths to players, but also willing to support them,” said Breslow. “So we're really excited about what he brings.”