Boston Red Sox See Marcelo Mayer at Third as Trevor Story Stays Put

Per Jen McCaffery of The Athletic’s latest mailbag, the Boston Red Sox’s internal thinking on their infield future is becoming clearer - and more deliberate - even as external speculation continues to swirl.

At the center of it all is Marcelo Mayer, and where the organization ultimately believes he fits best.

According to McCaffery, a source within the team indicated a preference for Mayer at third base rather than second, assuming the Red Sox do not add an external option at the hot corner via trade or free agency.

That detail matters, because it underscores how strongly Boston views Mayer as a long-term left-side infielder - not a utility solution, not a positional compromise, but a core piece whose defensive value they want to preserve.

That preference also intersects directly with how the Red Sox view Trevor Story.

Despite a season that included some late defensive hiccups, McCaffery reports the Red Sox still highly value Story, particularly in the wake of losing Alex Bregman and Rob Refsnyder.

Internally, the 33-year-old shortstop is now viewed as the club’s most significant clubhouse leader - a stabilizing presence for a roster that continues to skew young.

The defensive struggles Story experienced late last season, per McCaffery, are not being interpreted as decline. Instead, the belief inside the organization is that fatigue played the primary role. Story was playing his first full season since 2021, logging innings and reps his body simply hadn’t handled in years. In other words, the Red Sox see wear, not erosion.

That distinction is crucial, because it explains why Boston has little appetite for moving Story off shortstop anytime soon. McCaffery notes that shifting him elsewhere would be a difficult decision, both practically and culturally, and one the organization does not appear interested in making over the next two seasons.

Instead, the long view is guiding the short-term plan.

The Red Sox like the idea of Mayer settling in at third base now, keeping him on the left side of the infield while allowing Story to remain at shortstop through the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2027. When that deal expires, the path becomes cleaner:

Mayer slides naturally to shortstop, with no disruption, no rushed development, and no positional churn.

It’s a patient approach, and a revealing one.

In a winter defined by discipline (to a fault), restraint, and long-range thinking, this infield blueprint fits seamlessly with the broader organizational philosophy.

The Red Sox aren’t forcing timelines. They aren’t reacting to noise. They’re lining up leadership, development, and positional value in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes continuity.

Per McCaffery’s reporting, the message is clear:

Boston is building for what comes next, without sacrificing what still matters now.

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.