The Boston Red Sox are looking for a shortstop, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, but MassLive's Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam just revealed that they specifically are looking for a "long-term" option.
The Red Sox have reportedly checked in on CJ Abrams, Zach Neto and Jeremy Peña. If they were looking for a temporary fix, Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer would have nothing to worry about, but their interest in long-term options indicates they may be ready to move on.
Adding a player like Abrams or Peña would pretty much indicate the team is going to move on from Story. The team is not going to pay him $25 million next year to be on the bench. They cannot even move him to second base, as they just added Curtis Mead, who is under contract through 2030.
As for Mayer, he has struggled offensively ever since he made his debut and is currently on the injured list. His best path to at-bats right now is at shortstop if he is back before Story. However, just like Story, the Red Sox adding a long-term shortstop would complicate things for Mayer. The Red Sox do not have to move on from Mayer, but he would certainly not be a starter.
Then there is Franklin Arias, the team's top prospect who could debut next season. Adding a long-term shortstop would certainly block his path to the big leagues, unless the Red Sox trade him to land a big-time shortstop, which is unlikely.
If the Red Sox land a controllable shortstop at this year's deadline, it would not be a shock to see them move Story and then extend their new shortstop in the offseason.