The rumor mill is absolutely buzzing for the Boston Red Sox, with a massive question mark hanging over who locks down shortstop for them in 2027. OverTheMonster.com’s Matt Gross dug deep this week, bringing all the internal whispers and external shouts about the contenders for that crucial spot right to the surface. We are talking about a decision that could totally reshape their lineup, and frankly, the options are wild. The Red Sox brass has to be wrestling with this one big time because the stakes are huge: elevating that lineup to finally win a playoff series.
Trevor Story’s Contract Nightmare: A Regression Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s start with the guy already there: Trevor Story. This dude’s 2026 season was a flat-out struggle, and honestly, it felt like a rerun of his Red Sox career. He clocked in just 64 games, putting up a dismal .235/.271/.351 line with a .621 OPS. Only 5 dingers and 29 RBI? That’s not the impact player we all know. He had a “gruesome start,” then found himself back on the injured list, again, and outside of a few flashes with Roman Anthony in late August, the offense just never clicked. But here’s the real gut punch: his once “standout defense” is “regressing before our eyes,” with a -2 OAA and -1 DRS. Running him back out for the final year of his contract in 2027 feels incredibly risky. And let’s be real, if they’re already struggling to trade guys like Masataka Yoshida and Jarren Duran, finding a partner for Story won’t be easy. Boston is in a tough spot here, big time.
Franklin Arias: The Homegrown Powerhouse Who Rewrote His Ceiling
But wait, there’s a reason for hope boiling up right in their own system: Franklin Arias. This kid, MLB’s No. 2 prospect, was already getting attention, but his 2026 season between Double-A and Triple-A was something else entirely. In 117 games, he slashed an insane .323/.400/.557 with a ridiculous .957 OPS, launching 25 home runs and driving in 91 RBI! He wasn’t known for that kind of power before, but he totally redefined his offensive profile, adding a “slugfest formerly unknown” to his game. This isn’t just a guy who can “grind out at-bats” and “consistently took his walks,” nope, he’s now impressing the organization with his “newfound ability to do damage and impact the baseball.” While his defensive metrics aren’t tracked like the big leaguers, MLB Pipeline pegs him with a 55-grade arm and a 60-grade field tool. The Red Sox haven’t exactly hit it out of the park with all their “Big Three” homegrown talent, but Arias has absolutely “earned the opportunity” to step up in 2027. Can they trust him to be *the* guy over the other candidates?
Elly De La Cruz: The 30-30 Dynamo That Lights Up The Comments
Then, there’s the big external splash play: Elly De La Cruz. Man, talk about an electrifying player! If the Red Sox went after this guy, the comments section would explode, and for good reason. His 2026 season with the Reds was his best yet: 143 games, .283/.365/.515, an .880 OPS, 30 bombs, 79 RBI, and he did it all in “30-30 fashion” while flashing “real offensive firepower” and a “cannon for an arm” at short. His defense is a mixed bag, showing a stellar +7 OAA but a tricky -6 DRS. Still, his offensive upside is through the roof.
So, here’s the deal for Boston: do they stick with the struggling, aging incumbent, roll the dice on their red-hot prospect who just mashed his way into the conversation, or go all out for an external superstar who can literally do it all? It’s a huge decision, and whoever gets the nod for 2027 is going to shape that team’s identity moving forward. The Red Sox have a massive choice coming up, and honestly, it feels like all eyes are on them to see which direction they take.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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