New team, new position 'a good fit' for Story

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- When Trevor Story held court in left field for his introductory press conference as a member of the Red Sox on Wednesday morning, he did so not far from the replica Green Monster at JetBlue Park.

After signing a six-year, $140-million contract that includes a seventh-year option, Story will have a chance to take aim at the real Green Monster starting on April 15.

And that should take away any sting of losing the thin air of Coors Field for 81 games a season.

At Fenway, Story should rake, keeping his overall numbers close if not better than they were during his time with the Rockies.

“That's something that I'm really excited about,” Story said. “I took BP yesterday just to kind of get a feel on the replica field, to see the Monster and get used to it a little bit. That's something that's going to take a little time, for sure.

“I'm excited. I know it's the most historic place, I think, in baseball. It's really an honor to put on this jersey and play in that ballpark every night. I feel really good about how my game will adjust there. I just kind of need the reps and the time.”

And if the home/road splits worry you -- Story has a .972 OPS at Coors and a .752 OPS on the road -- there is data to prove that Colorado players adjust better to road games after leaving the Rockies.

DJ LeMahieu is a .300 hitter in 176 road games covering three seasons since he left the comforts of Colorado for the Yankees. When Nolan Arenado played for the Rockies, his home OPS was .985 compared to .793 on the road. Last season, his first with the Cardinals, the stud third baseman belted 20 homers on the road to go with an .885 OPS compared to 14 homers and a .722 OPS in St. Louis.

“There's kind of that stigma around Coors Field, whether the ball flies, which it certainly does,” said Story. “I think more so the adjustment I'd have to make is just the toll that it takes to play at altitude. I'll feel a little better playing in Boston every night, just when it comes to that and the recovery aspect of it. Other than that, baseball's baseball. It's played the same at every park. That's kind of the way I've always looked at it.”

Story is similarly unfazed about the move he will make from shortstop to second base, which is a necessity for a team that already has a proven veteran winner and leader in Xander Bogaerts. The last time Story played second base was 2015 at Double-A.

There were certainly opportunities for Story to sign with another team and stay at short.

“Sure, it was something that me and my family and my team had to talk about a lot. At the end of the day, what it came down to, as I've been saying my whole career, it's about winning,” said Story. “I felt that this was a really good fit for me to play second this year on this team, on the Red Sox, and that's really what it came down to. Really just seeing this team and seeing the trend that they're on and the players and the makeup of this team, that's really what swayed me.”

What swayed Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom to make Story the first high-priced acquisition in his two-and-a-half years running Boston’s front office?

The simple answer is that Story checks off a lot of boxes. He is a right-handed hitter and the Red Sox had been looking for one ever since they traded Hunter Renfroe three months ago. He has speed -- something the Red Sox lack. He is known in baseball circles as a great teammate. And at 29 years old, Story is coming to Boston in his prime. Story also provides insurance at shortstop if Bogaerts exercises his opt-out clause after the season and winds up signing with another team.

“He’s been one of the most dynamic players in the game. He impacts the game in every facet,” said Bloom. “At the plate, in the field, on the bases. His athleticism plays on both sides of the ball. He’s been both a run producer and a premium defender in the middle of the field. He has the ability to help us in every aspect of the game. But he’s just as impressive outside the lines.”

During the recruiting pitches he heard from manager Alex Cora, several current Red Sox players (Bogaerts among them) and a prominent former one in Dustin Pedroia, Story got a feel for what it will be like when he gets to Boston in April.

“Everyone was just glowing about Fenway and Boston and the city and the passion the fans bring every night,” Story said. “I think that was one of the most attractive things for me and for my family, too. That's what you want. The fans, everybody here, everybody involved cares just as much as we do. I can't wait to get to Fenway and play in front of the Red Sox faithful.”

Much like Cora can’t wait to write the name “Story” in his lineup card 150 or so times a year.

“I've been telling our strength coaches, our hitting coaches, Carlos Febles, our infield coach, that they got better. Chaim's a lot smarter today. I'm going to a better manager because he's here,” said Cora. “But all kidding aside, we talk about improving. And we've done it throughout the offseason. We added some pitching and now Trevor. I've got to give some credit to ownership and our front office. What they've done is amazing, and when I found out, it was a great day, because, he's not only a great player, he's a great person.”