The Red Sox have one fewer problem to worry about this offseason.
Shortstop Trevor Story will not opt out of his contract, a source confirmed to the Globe, bypassing a shot at free agency to stick with the Sox for another two years and $55 million.
At the outset of an offseason featuring significant infield-related uncertainty, the Red Sox can move forward — in their dealings with Alex Bregman, determining how Marcelo Mayer figures in, perhaps adding a first baseman — knowing Story will remain in the fold.
Ravaged by injuries in prior seasons, Story returned to health and form in 2025, tying a career-high 157 games played and helping as a stalwart at shortstop solidify the infield and overall defense. He also recovered from deep struggles that lasted through May — a period so bad that team officials wondered if he would ever re-emerge — to lead the Red Sox in home runs (25), RBIs (96), and stolen bases (31 in 32 tries).
Story finished with a .263 average, .308 on-base, and .433 slugging percentage. From June 1 through the end of the season, those numbers were .289/.334/.492, making him one of the highest-producing shortstops in the majors.
Along the way, Story found his footing as a team leader and clubhouse voice, too.
“We’re a very tight-knit crew,” Story said on the night the Red Sox’ season ended. “I’ve said that all year. It’s just fun coming to work with these guys, man. They love it just as much as I do. And it’s a special thing to find, getting back to feeling like myself, like I’m going to do something special each night. It’s been a while since I felt that, so to feel that consistently over four or five months meant a lot to me. But it’s more about the teammates, more about our coaches and our guys here that you get to share the grind with because they become family.”
As part of the contract he signed prior to the 2022 season, Story could have tried to capitalize on his bounce-back season by hitting the open market in search of what probably would have been a last real crack at free agency and another big payday. Had he opted out, the Red Sox could have negated his decision by tacking on another year, 2028, and $25 million to his deal (or paid him a $5 million buyout).
Story, who turns 33 on Nov. 15, joined the Red Sox on a six-year, $140 million deal four years ago.
Over the first half of that term, he averaged just 54 games per season — in effect playing one full season out of three.
In 2022, he missed time with right hand and left heel injuries. Then he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow, which required major surgery and sidelined him for most of 2023. In 2024, in the eighth game of the season, he fractured his left shoulder on a dive at shortstop, forcing him into another surgery. He returned that September.
This past season, Story started every game from June 6 through Sept. 26, the day the Red Sox clinched a playoff berth, their first since he signed with them.
The rest of the infield has plenty of questions. Bregman is a free agent again, having opted out of his three-year, $120 million pact after the first season. Mayer is capable of playing third base, shortstop, and second base, but is coming off another season-ending injury, a sprained right wrist that required surgery. And the Red Sox have not committed to a starting first baseman, leaving open the possibility that they use that position to bring in a big bat.
Peter Abraham of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.