Red Sox Shortstop Options for 2027 | The Decision Room

The SS Story in Boston

The Decision Room | 2026–27 Offseason | Boston Red Sox

The Dilemma: One Hot Month. One Unanswered Position.

For 25 games in July, the Boston Red Sox looked like one of the best teams in baseball.

They went 21–4.

The rest of the season? Not nearly as convincing.

Boston still reached the postseason in 2026, but this was a talented team that struggled to sustain its best baseball. And for a club with championship expectations, there are weaknesses Craig Breslow can’t afford to ignore.

Shortstop is one of them.

Boston’s shortstops combined for an 85 OPS+ in 2026. Not disastrous, but hardly the kind of production that changes a lineup. More telling? Shortstop was the only position on the roster that failed to reach double-digit home runs.

For a team that finished 26th in baseball in home runs, that’s a problem worth addressing.

But this isn’t just about adding another bat. Boston needs to consider defensive reliability, financial commitments, and what happens when one of its most exciting prospects is ready for the majors.

Because unlike some contenders searching for a permanent answer, the Red Sox might already have theirs developing in Worcester.

So what’s the move?

Spend big on a proven shortstop? Trade for an offensive difference-maker? Or trust the future and find a way to survive until he arrives?

Six candidates. One position. And a decision that could define Boston’s next era.

Welcome to The Decision Room.

The Candidates

Internal Options

1. TREVOR STORY

The $25 Million Placeholder

2026: .235 AVG | .271 OBP | .351 SLG | .622 OPS

2027 Contract: $25M | Final guaranteed season

Trevor Story’s time in Boston has been a disappointment.

Five seasons in a Red Sox uniform, and he’s played more than 100 games just once. In 2026, he managed only 64. And when he was on the field, the results weren’t encouraging.

Outside of a brief hot streak, Story’s offense struggled. His Statcast page was practically a sea of blue.

A 31.8% whiff rate. A 43.6% chase rate. A career-high 55.7% swing rate.

He’s swinging more, chasing more, and missing more. Meanwhile, his average exit velocity has fallen to roughly 87 mph, with a 36.5% hard-hit rate.

Sixty-four games is a limited sample, but those aren’t encouraging trends for a 34-year-old whose offensive value once came from driving the baseball.

Defensively, Story can still handle shortstop. He’s serviceable, but no longer the difference-maker Boston originally envisioned.

With $25 million owed in the final guaranteed year of his contract, Boston’s financial commitment practically makes him the Opening Day starter.

But that’s where the commitment should end.

I don’t see a full season of Trevor Story starting at shortstop for a team with playoff aspirations. The Red Sox aren’t asking him to turn back the clock. They’re hoping he can stay healthy long enough for Franklin Arias to develop or another solution to emerge.

And given Story’s injury history, even that comes with uncertainty.

THE TAKEAWAY: Story isn’t Boston’s answer at shortstop. He’s the $25 million bridge until the answer arrives.

2. ANDRUW MONASTERIO

The Clubhouse Glue Guy

2026: .233 AVG | .295 OBP | .371 SLG | .666 OPS | 6 HR

2027 Contract: Arbitration 1 | $1.6M projected

For a stretch in July and August, Andruw Monasterio couldn’t stop hitting. You could practically pencil him in for a knock every night.

But I’m not convinced that hot streak represents the player Boston should expect in 2027.

Monasterio puts together pesky at-bats, makes pitchers work, and has the kind of contact-oriented approach that can play well at Fenway. Pepper the Green Monster, take the extra base, and make something happen.

The problem is his contact quality.

He puts the ball in the air frequently, but without much authority. That’s a difficult offensive profile to sustain over a full season, and his .666 OPS reflects those limitations.

Defensively, he’s better suited to moving around the infield than being locked into shortstop every day.

And that’s perfectly fine.

Every contending team needs a guy who can play multiple positions, give you a competitive at-bat, and step in when someone gets hurt. Monasterio can be that player.

He’s entering his age-30 season, so I’m not expecting a dramatic breakout. But I’m also not closing the door on him proving there’s more in the bat.

THE TAKEAWAY: Monasterio is the kind of clubhouse glue guy Boston should want on its roster. Just don’t mistake a valuable utility player for the answer at shortstop.

3. FRANKLIN ARIAS

The Untouchable

2026 Minors: .323 AVG | .400 OBP | .557 SLG | .957 OPS | 25 HR | 14.2% K

2027 Status: Age-20 season | Pre-arbitration

It’s hard not to fall in love with Franklin Arias.

The kid is toolsy. Really toolsy.

Once viewed primarily as a glove-first prospect, Arias has developed into one of baseball’s more exciting young infielders.

Twenty-five home runs. A .323 batting average. A .957 OPS.

And he did it while striking out just 14.2% of the time.

That’s an impressive combination of contact, developing power, and plate discipline for someone his age.

The defense might be even more exciting.

With 60-grade hitting and fielding tools, Arias has the potential to become an elite defensive shortstop who makes multiple trips to the All-Star Game.

That’s a franchise cornerstone.

But being the future doesn’t mean he needs to be Boston’s Opening Day shortstop.

Arias finished 2026 with 42 games at Triple-A and an .894 OPS. I’d give him another month in Worcester, let him continue adjusting to advanced pitching, and reassess.

There’s no reason to rush a player with this kind of ceiling.

And there’s absolutely no reason to trade him.

Boston has enough young talent to explore a blockbuster without automatically putting Arias on the table. Even if that conversation involves Elly De La Cruz, I’m keeping the kid.

If Breslow acquires an established shortstop, find Arias another position on the infield. Players with this combination of tools don’t need to be limited to one spot.

THE TAKEAWAY: Arias is 100% untouchable. Develop him, find room for him, and let him become the cornerstone Boston believes he can be.

Trade Options

4. CJ ABRAMS

The Left-Handed Difference-Maker

2026: .261 AVG | .336 OBP | .497 SLG | .833 OPS | 33 HR | 34 SB

2027 Contract: Arbitration 2 | $10.2M projected | Two years of team control

Boston finished 26th in baseball in home runs in 2026.

CJ Abrams hit 33 by himself.

But the home runs aren’t the only reason he makes sense for the Red Sox.

Boston finished just below league average against right-handed pitching, posting a 99 OPS+. Abrams? He carried an .884 OPS against righties.

That’s the kind of production Craig Breslow should be targeting.

Abrams brings left-handed power, game-changing speed, and the ability to create offense without needing three hits in front of him.

But I’m not expecting another 33-home-run season.

His 2026 power breakout was impressive, but something closer to 20–25 home runs feels more realistic. That’s still a valuable offensive player, especially when you factor in his 34 stolen bases.

The defensive fit is where Boston needs to be smart.

Abrams isn’t an everyday major-league shortstop.

His range and throwing accuracy remain concerns, and the Red Sox shouldn’t acquire him with the expectation that he’ll solve their defensive issues at the position.

I’d move him to second base.

That allows Boston to improve its offense against right-handed pitching while keeping shortstop available for Franklin Arias when he’s ready.

The problem is Washington’s asking price.

The Nationals are selling a 30/30 shortstop with two years of team control. Boston would be acquiring a second baseman whose power production could regress.

Those are two very different valuations.

At a projected $10.2 million in his second arbitration year, Abrams isn’t prohibitively expensive. But I’m not surrendering Boston’s premier young talent for him.

I’d offer good young players and explore the market.

THE TAKEAWAY: Abrams could be an excellent offensive addition for Boston. Just don’t pay a superstar shortstop price for a player you’re moving to second base.

5. JEREMY PEÑA

The One-Year Stabilizer

2026: .277 AVG | .325 OBP | .477 SLG | .802 OPS | 22 HR | 56 RBI | 12 SB

2027 Contract: Final arbitration year | $13.1M projected | Free agent after 2027

What’s not to like about Jeremy Peña?

He’s a legitimate everyday shortstop, a productive right-handed hitter, and a proven October performer. The 2022 ALCS and World Series MVP brings exactly the kind of experience a playoff contender should value.

And his bat could be a natural fit at Fenway.

Peña has consistently handled fastballs well, hitting over .300 against every fastball classification in 2026. Put that approach in front of the Green Monster, and there’s plenty to like.

But I have one question.

How often is he going to see those fastballs in Boston?

Peña has spent his career hitting in a Houston lineup where opposing pitchers couldn’t simply work around everyone. That protection matters.

Boston has offensive talent, but it’s fair to question whether Peña would see the same pitch selection without the same established lineup around him. His ability to adjust when pitchers attack him differently would be something I’d watch closely.

Defensively, there’s little concern. Peña gives Boston a reliable everyday shortstop who can make the plays a contender needs.

The contract makes him interesting, too.

At a projected $13.1 million in his final arbitration year, Peña could stabilize the position while Franklin Arias continues developing. And if Arias forces his way into the lineup, I’d explore moving Peña elsewhere on the infield rather than blocking the kid.

Scott Boras makes an extension complicated, but I’m not requiring one.

I’d acquire Peña expecting one season. Anything beyond that is a bonus.

The trade cost needs to reflect that. I’m comfortable moving one or two good prospects, but Boston’s premier young talent stays off the table.

I like Peña. A lot. But I like some of Boston’s other options more. If the bigger trades don’t materialize, he’s a fallback I’d gladly explore at the right price.

THE TAKEAWAY: Peña can stabilize shortstop immediately, but don’t sacrifice Boston’s future for a one-year solution.

6. ELLY DE LA CRUZ

The Franchise-Changing Superstar

2026: .283 AVG | .365 OBP | .515 SLG | .880 OPS | 30 HR | 30 SB | 175 K

2027 Contract: Arbitration 1 | $7.9M projected | Three years of team control

Elly De La Cruz changes everything.

He’s not just an upgrade at shortstop. He’s the kind of player who can change the identity of an entire franchise.

Thirty home runs. Thirty stolen bases. An .880 OPS.

And he’s entering his age-25 season.

But what makes Elly particularly appealing for Boston is how he produces against both sides of the mound.

A .990 OPS against left-handed pitching.

An .834 OPS against righties.

That’s a switch-hitting monster who doesn’t need to be protected by a platoon advantage.

Put him in the middle of Boston’s lineup, and opposing pitchers suddenly have a completely different problem to solve.

He brings power, speed, athleticism, and the kind of electricity that can change a game with one swing or one trip around the bases.

The 175 strikeouts are worth discussing. There’s still swing-and-miss in his game, and I’d like to see him continue improving his approach. But I’m not passing on this level of talent because of strikeouts.

He’s young enough to get better, and he’s already producing like a superstar.

The trade package would be enormous.

And it should be.

I’d offer multiple premier prospects and MLB-ready players to get Cincinnati’s attention. Outside of Boston’s established franchise cornerstones, very few names should be protected.

But one name isn’t available.

Franklin Arias.

Not for Elly. Not for anybody.

If Boston lands De La Cruz, let the two compete for shortstop when Arias is ready. Whoever doesn’t win the job moves elsewhere on the infield.

That’s a problem I’d love to have.

Elly also comes with three years of team control and a projected $7.9 million salary in 2027. That’s an extraordinary amount of talent at a manageable cost.

But if Cincinnati insists on Arias, I’m walking away.

Boston has a potential franchise cornerstone developing in its own system. There’s no reason to sacrifice him, even for a player as exciting as Elly.

THE TAKEAWAY: De La Cruz is the blockbuster I’d chase harder than anyone. He could become the face of the Red Sox. But Franklin Arias is not part of the conversation.

The Big League Take

Go Nuclear. Or Trust the Kid.

Elly De La Cruz is my first call.

He’s a franchise-changing talent worth an aggressive trade package, but Franklin Arias is untouchable. I’d offer Cincinnati multiple premium prospects and MLB-ready talent, but the moment Arias becomes a requirement, the conversation ends.

CJ Abrams isn’t far behind. His bat addresses Boston’s offensive needs, and moving him to second base leaves shortstop open for Arias. But I’m paying for the second baseman I believe he can become, not the shortstop Washington wants to sell.

Jeremy Peña would be a nice addition, but is Boston really going to take on a projected $13.1 million salary and surrender prospects for a one-year rental? Only if the acquisition cost makes sense.

And if none of those deals materialize, let Trevor Story open the season and give Arias another month in Worcester. There’s no reason to rush a potential franchise cornerstone simply because the current roster has a weakness.

Make the blockbuster move if it’s there. Otherwise, trust the kid.

Own Your Take

Elly De La Cruz is the blockbuster. CJ Abrams brings the offense. Jeremy Peña offers stability. Or maybe the answer is already in Boston with Franklin Arias.

But what about Jazz Chisholm Jr., Mauricio Dubón, or Corey Seager?

Who should Craig Breslow target to solve Boston’s shortstop dilemma?

Drop your pick in the comments and own your take.