Red Sox acquires Trevor Story, according to reports

FORT MYERS, FL USA (AP) The Red Sox would have reached an agreement to acquire stellar shortstop Trevor Story, with a six-year, $140 million contract that would lead him to play in Boston as second baseman.

The deal, which was first reported by the USA Today newspaper and later confirmed by multiple media outlets, represents a long-term response at second baseman, a weak point since Dustin Pedroia was injured in 2017.

Xander Bogaerts would continue as the starting torpedo boat. Boston would have an alternative in that position if Bogaerts opted out of his contract at the end of the season.

Story, 29, hit for .251 with 24 home runs and 75 runs produced with the Colorado Rockies last season, a slump after three straight seasons in which he received votes for the National League Most Valuable Player. In five seasons in the majors, he has never played any defensive position other than the shortstop.

“He's a great hitter. We know what defensive represents. I think his batting will be a good fit for Fenway,” Bogaerts told MLB.com last week as rumors about the acquisition circulated.

“It would be nice if we had a reinforcement like that after the casualties of big names in free agency and in change,” Bogaerts said. “He's a great baseball player. He's a great hitter, an impact player.”

For life, Story hits for 2,272 with 158 home runs and 450 RBIs in 745 games. He has benefited from height in Denver, hitting .303 with 95 home runs and 279 runs produced at Coors Field and 2,241 with 63 home runs and 171 away produced.

With Story in second, Enrique Hernández will be able to establish himself in the central garden and Christian Arroyo would become a utility of the bank.

Alex Cora, manager of Red Sox, declined to comment on the reports after the exhibition match against Baltimore, stating that these were rumors. Even before the agreement was announced, the news was welcomed in the dressing room of the Red Sox.