On Tuesday, multiple media outlets reported that shortstop Trevor Story is planning to opt in to the final two years of his contract with the Red Sox, keeping the rejuvenated man up the middle of the defense in Boston through the end of the 2027 season.

Chris Cotillo added on X that Story “appreciates the organization and its direction.” He went on to add that this is a “big piece of offseason business” for Boston, as they now don’t have to worry about finding another shortstop this offseason.

Story is someone we’ve discussed at length on Roundtable. Here’s what my colleague Brady Farkas wrote back in early October:

“[Trevor] Story signed a six-year deal before the 2022 season. Though he spent much of the first three years hurt, he rebounded in a big way this season, hitting .263 with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He's got two years and $50 million guaranteed on his deal. At 32 years old, does he think he can get one more contract that is bigger than that, or does he want to take the sure money?"

Fast forward to Tuesday, and it looks like the veteran is going with the bird in hand.

His partner on the left side of the infield in Alex Bregman made his opt-out decision official on Monday, choosing to leave $80 million over the next two years on the table and take a stab at free agency for the second straight offseason after only one year in Boston. And while he was a Silver Slugger nominee for AL third basemen, his productivity waned after straining his quad in late May while legging out a single against the Orioles.

Given the season he had and the agent representing him (Scott Boras), Bregman’s opt-out is less than surprising.

An opt-out for Story, in my opinion, would have come as a surprise to the organization.

After signing in Boston ahead of the 2022 season, Story was unable to play over 100 games in a season for the Red Sox until this season due to injury. A two-time All-Star from his six years in Colorado, Boston fans were only ever treated to samplings of what Story could be if fully healthy. Even with his health intact to start 2025, it looked like the impact of all his injuries over time had officially cooked the 32-year-old, with many in the media calling for him to be designated for assignment in late May.

Then, the story flipped (pun intended).

The shortstop was arguably this team’s MVP, completely turning his season around starting with his team’s series at Milwaukee the final weekend of May. From June 1 onwards, according to StatMuse, Story had a batting average of .287 with 114 hits, 18 home runs, 73 RBIs and 68 runs scored in 102 games. Most impressive of all, he was a perfect 31 for 31 on stolen bases. He finished the season with a WAR of 3.8, the fifth-highest WAR of his career and the highest he’s had since 2021.

With a strong 2025 to build off of, hopefully Story’s success and health continue over the next two seasons at Fenway.

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.