According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly optimistic that shortstop Trevor Story will return in 2026. He has a player opt-out that he has until five days after the World Series ends to decide on.

Boston decision makers are — cautiously — quite optimistic that Story will opt in and play out the remaining two years and $55 million on his deal. That choice hasn’t been formalized either.

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. The Red Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the wild card round.

Age and value: Story is 32 years old and about to be 33. If he doesn't think that he can get a greater annual value or a greater total salary than what he has now, opting-in is a no-brainer.

A potential labor issue: There's all this talk about labor unrest affecting the 2027 season. If Story stays with this deal, he'll be under contract still at that time at a very solid number, and will stand to be paid well, even if a portion of the season is lost to that unrest.

Fit: Story still figures to be a starter, at shortstop. Is that the same everywhere else that could be in the market for a veteran infielder? Not necessarily.

Team projections: The Red Sox figure to be one of the better teams in baseball again next year and are positioned well for success in the next two years. For a player who has never won a title before, that could be a major selling point.

Cotillo reports that Alex Bregman is still expected to opt-out of his deal, but there is still optimism that he could return on a new deal as well.

He has two-years and $80 million remaining but could be in the market for at least a $150 million deal over the offseason, if not more.