Trevor Story is starting a rehab assignment on Sunday, and his impending return poses some very important questions for the Boston Red Sox.
Story was great last season, having a truly resurgent year. However, this year he was off to a slow start, and the injury bug got him again. He has missed most of the season after sports hernia surgery, and the team has found a way to turn their season around without him.
Andruw Monasterio has settled in at shortstop and, since June 27, has the second-best OPS on the team at .910. Monasterio had a career year at the plate for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, and has proven it was not a fluke. He is hitting .270 with a .776 OPS in 83 games this year. When Story returns, Monasterio will likely slide over to second base, replacing Nick Sogard. However, second base will belong to Curtis Mead when he is healthy.
The Red Sox acquired Mead at the trade deadline, but he was injured in his first game with the team. He is under contract for the next few years and will be the regular second baseman when he's back.
When Mead returns, the Red Sox will have to make a decision on Story. If he's hitting like he was before going on the injured list, they should 100% bench him in favor of Monasterio. Story had a .547 OPS in 41 games this year. As long as Monasterio is hitting, he deserves to be in the lineup.
However, Story is making $25 million and that's a lot of money to have on the bench.
In reality, the Red Sox infield next season likely won't feature Monasterio or Story. Franklin Arias will likely take over as the starting shortstop, and Mead will take second base. Monasterio is very versatile and will likely be a key utility player. However, Story's time with the Red Sox could be nearing an end.