Xander Bogaerts candidly revealed why he recruited Trevor Story to the Boston Red Sox: because he’s interested in winning at all costs.
Before Trevor Story signed with the Boston Red Sox, there were rumors about why Story might end up on other teams. One reason fans speculated why he may not sign in Boston is because there isn’t an available shortstop position open. The Red Sox already have Xander Bogaerts, so Story (or the incumbent shortstop) had to be open to playing second base.
In the end, Story was willing, and the Red Sox acquired another premier infielder that has the skills to play shortstop if needed.
Even though Story gives the Red Sox options should Bogaerts decide to move on next season, his presence presents an imminent threat to Bogaerts. Should anything happen to Bogaerts this season, Story would likely step in, so having him there in Boston could be a potential threat to Bogaerts’ career.
But Bogaerts has the perfect team-oriented response when it comes to why he went out of his way to recruit Story to the Sox: because he wants to win at all costs.
Why did Xander Bogaerts help recruit Trevor Story, even if it might impact his own future in Boston? "I'm obsessed with winning," Bogaerts said.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) March 23, 2022
Xander Bogaerts reveals why he campaigned to sign Trevor Story to the Red Sox
Already, Story is being welcomed by the Boston camp at Spring Training, where he recorded his first flip to Bogaerts on March 23. The two will be working closely together as Boston endeavors to represent the AL East in the postseason this year.
Story’s first flip to Bogaerts. Devers, who is behind Bogaerts: “Perfect!” Cora, also in the infield: “You look like you’ve been doing it forever.” pic.twitter.com/F3AiFGMFI1
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 23, 2022
Trevor Story said Chris Sale, Kiké Hernández and Xander Bogaerts have made him feel home already. The three reached out to Story.
— Lauren Campbell 👾 (@lalalalaurrrren) March 23, 2022
Red Sox president Sam Kennedy believes that Bogaerts will stay in Boston for his entire career, so with Story open to playing second, this could be the beginning of a long, successful era in Boston for the two trained shortstops.
Sam Kennedy on Bogaerts: “I’ve known Xander Bogaerts since he was 16. I hope he’s part of this organization for as long as humanly possible. And I think that’s his goal … I’m really hopeful that Xander will be here for his entire career.” https://t.co/QpR3blLXEB via @BostonGlobe
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 23, 2022
Another recruitment tactic employed by former Will Middlebrooks was to warn Story of how disgusting it is to live in New York and play for the Yankees.
"'I was selling it for days,' said Middlebrooks. “I laid it out. I said, ‘Look, New York smells like garbage and they have rats the size of Shetland ponies. You don’t want to go there.'" https://t.co/qcCBToWu4r
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) March 23, 2022
No matter the tactic, current and former Red Sox alike were adamant about recruiting and welcoming Story, and it already seems to have paid off.