Xander's phone call sold Story on Red Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Of all the recruiting the Red Sox did to bring Trevor Story to Boston, the communication that meant the most was the call that came from Xander Bogaerts roughly a week ago.

In fact, Story acknowledged Wednesday that the phone call from one All-Star shortstop to another was a significant factor in his decision to sign with the Red Sox, where he will move to second base.

The other recruiting pitches Story received from Red Sox players came via text. To hear the voice of Bogaerts on the other end of the phone meant something.

“I think Bogey reaching out [was big],” Story said. “He didn’t have to do that. It’s something that made me feel very comfortable.”

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

The Story-Bogaerts situation could have been awkward. Consider that Story signed a six-year deal with the Red Sox and Bogaerts has an opt-out clause at the end of the 2022 season.

Instead of showing any insecurity about his future, Bogaerts prioritized 2022 and the clear mission of the Red Sox trying to take another leap after finishing just two wins shy of the World Series last season.

It was yet another example of why Bogaerts is the unquestioned leader of the Red Sox.

“All I’m focused on is this year. I enjoy winning a lot. I’m obsessed with winning,” said Bogaerts. “I’m very competitive and that’s one guy, he just makes your team so much better. If there’s a chance you can get him, why not?”

Already the owner of two World Series rings, Bogaerts badly wants to win a third with the only professional team he has ever played with. He thinks Boston’s chances of winning it all in ’22 have greatly increased with the addition of Story.

“That’s an impact player, a guy with five, six, however many tools you want to mention, he has them all,” Bogaerts said. “Obviously I watched him play quite often on TV and he’s a game changer, man. He has an ability to impact the game in so many ways.”

• Bogaerts on Story: 'He's a big bat'

Despite the significant financial investment the Red Sox have made in Story, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said it doesn’t change the club’s goal to keep Bogaerts beyond ’22 even if the shortstop does opt out.

“Exactly the same as we looked at it before,” said Bloom. “He’s such a huge part of this organization. We’ve wanted him for a long time. I think it’s very similar to how we approach things with Trevor, how we approach anything. If it’s the right player, the right time, the right terms, then it’s something we’re going to want to do. We know who Xander is and we love him and want to keep him here.”

Bogaerts thinks that Story might help him become a better player.

“I’m definitely looking forward to him helping me out at shortstop,” said Bogaerts. “Obviously he’s played there his whole career and he’s been very good at it. It seems like it will be fun.”

Shortly after Story’s introductory press conference, Bogaerts walked into a nearly empty clubhouse and spotted his new teammate standing alone at his locker. Bogaerts immediately went over for a handshake, a hug and some words of encouragement. The mutual respect between the two players was clear in that moment.

“Bogey has been amazing throughout this process of me coming here, and he reached out to me, we talked on the phone for a little bit. Those things stay between us, but he didn't have to do that,” Story said. “It just shows his character and speaks to the kind of guy that he is. He wants to win, and he wanted me to come here. That made me feel comfortable off the jump.”

The way Bogaerts and other Red Sox players viewed it, Story was the missing link. Story is probably the best baserunner the Red Sox have had on their roster since the trade of Mookie Betts to the Dodgers.

“He does stuff that we don’t really do,” said Bogaerts. “Like running the bases. He can steal 20, 30 bases if he wants to, and that’s an element we haven’t been able to have like we have right now in a player. Obviously all the other stuff he can do also. He just improves our ballclub so much.”