Alex Cora Chooses Key Player To Solve Red Sox’s Defensive Woes

The Boston Red Sox took steps back defensively in each of the last two years.

They led the American League in errors in that span and clearly need cleaner infield defense if they have any hopes of contention in 2025. If shortstop Trevor Story stays healthy for a full season for the first time in his Boston career, manager Alex Cora believes he’s the difference-maker for the Red Sox.

“We always talk about Trevor,” Cora told reporters Tuesday at spring training. “We were in this path last year. Having Trevor healthy, that’s gonna help.”

“I think repetitions at second base, we’ll see where it goes,” Cora added. “I think the kids that, we put some plans together in the offseason and they’ve done a good job to get physically where we want to. More explosive. That’s gonna help. We just have to keep working. Taking care of the baseball is a must.”

The Red Sox manager added that pitchers getting more swings and misses will help the defense. New arms in starter Garrett Crochet and reliever Aroldis Chapman are strikeout machines and look to continue that in Boston.

Back to Story, Cora’s right. The Red Sox are infinitely better defensively with Story on the field. The veteran made just nine errors and tallied 16 defensive runs in his 163 games in a Boston uniform. He sets the tone for the infield in need of steady glove work.

The struggles of the ballclub during Story’s contract are just one reminder of how incredibly important he is to success for the Red Sox in 2025.