MLB insider details how Red Sox stole Trevor Story from Yankees
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray details how the New York Yankees allowed the Boston Red Sox to snag Trevor Story—with a catch.
Finally, Trevor Story has found a home in Boston to the tune of $140 million for six years.
The move has been considered a win for Boston and Story, who could end up moving to shortstop as soon as next season.
Infielder Trevor Story and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $140 million contract, sources confirm to ESPN. After looking at multiple structures with multiple teams, Story gets big money from the Red Sox — and an opt-out after four. Another big bat for Boston.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 20, 2022
Trevor Story has agreed to play 2B for Boston. Xander Bogaerts, the longtime Red Sox SS w/2 rings, will remain at SS for Boston for 2022. Bogaerts has an opt out after the season he is sure to exercise, so potentially (if Bogaerts leaves), Story could move back to SS next season.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 20, 2022
The Yankees immediately responded by signing Marwin Gonzales, which was considered to be an underwhelming response to losing out on Story.
The Red Sox signing Trevor Story and the Yankees immediately signing Marwin Gonzales afterward is one of the funniest recent timelines.
— Kaley (@kaley8711) March 20, 2022
Yankees fans who were hoping to land Story need not fret: the Yankees didn’t necessarily lose out on Story, because it’s likely they didn’t want him in the first place.
Yankees use free agency trick to get Trevor Story to Red Sox
According to FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, the Yankees frequently allow sports agents to attach the Yankees name to free agents that New York is not even pursuing. This allows agents to negotiate for a higher price, and it pressures teams to steal players away from the Yankees.
“They were never serious about signing [Carlos Correa] or Trevor Story or any of these top shortstops,” Murray said at around the 26:45 mark of The Baseball Insiders podcast with Mark Carman.
“You’re telling me that the New York Yankees allow other agents to use their name to get dudes more money so the Yankees can benefit because now x team has paid more for that player and they’ll have less available dollars in theory in the future and then other players can fall to the Yankees,” Mark Carman said, summarizing their strategy. “Sounds like a brilliant strategy, but also scummy at the same time.”
“If Brian Cashman did do that, I tip my cap, because they ended up paying $140 million for Trevor Story, so, good work, Cashman, if that is indeed the case,” Murray said.
Red Sox got help from Xander Bogaerts in recruiting Trevor Story. light. More