Red Sox rumors: Inside the Trevor Story, Franklin Arias shortstop decision awaiting Boston

With the Boston Red Sox adding some help via trades amid the serious playoff push this year, all eyes are on top prospect shortstop Franklin Arias. With the September call-ups looming, the club may give Arias a shot to prove himself in the majors for the final month of the campaign. However, Trevor Story is also expected to return from injury, as he just began his rehab assignment.

That puts the Red Sox in a conundrum at shortstop. Who plays the position to finish out the season going into the playoffs? Rob Bradford, host of the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast as part of WEEI, floats the idea that Boston could pivot and utilize Arias similarly to how they brought up Xander Bogaerts in 2013. Bradford also predicts Story will be given the starting shortstop role come playoff time.

“I think Trevor Story is [the starter] probably,” Bradford said when asked who he thinks will be the starter for the playoffs. “I think this is why I give a B to this trade deadline. Because you didn’t cover yourself at shortstop and you didn’t cover yourself at starting pitching if something doesn’t work out.

“I am sort of stunned that [the Red Sox] are even introducing the Franklin Arias doing the Yoan Moncada thing from a few years ago, of ‘We know you’re 20 years old, but maybe we can catch lightning in the bottle.’ Listen, it’s not unprecedented,” Bradford continued. “Xander Bogaerts, wasn’t he like 20 when they got all the buzz? So, I mean, it can happen, and maybe that’s the route they go.”

Bogaerts, as well as Moncada for that matter, both made their MLB debuts with the Red Sox. Zander Bogaerts was brought up as a shortstop, while Moncada was brought up as a second baseman. Once they were promoted to the majors, the organization switched them over to play third base instead. That’s the route Bradford is suggesting for Arias if he is called up soon.

While that may be the case, Trevor Story has been a bit of a liability at shortstop. There have been calls from other Boston sports figures to move him to the outfield. His presence offensively has been a bit lackluster this year, too, as he owns a .206 batting average and .244 OBP through 165 at-bats.

Franklin Arias, a native of Venezuela, has played nine games at Triple-A Worcester this season. He’s looked incredible so far, totaling 13 hits, three home runs, and 10 RBIs through 39 at-bats, giving him a .333 batting average and .400 OBP.

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