Players must juggle doing their duties on the field with the constant fear that their entire life could be turned upside down in the days before the trade deadline.
No one knows that feeling better than Trevor Story.
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Story was regarded as one of the top trade candidates that summer four years ago when he was a prospective free agency with the Colorado Rockies. Story experienced the entire range of emotions as he came to terms with the prospect of being sent away from the only team he had ever known up to that point. In the end, the All-Star shortstop was not traded and signed with the Red Sox the following winter.
It was crazy. According to Story, “I believed that if you looked at it, it made sense that I would get traded and that’s what was going to happen.” It obviously didn’t, and I believe that was a crazy period in our lives because we were expecting our first child, and the idea of traveling around and the game’s volatility, you know.
“The thing that people don’t see is that all of the players are going through things off the field as well,” he added. It was frantic and wild, but it’s exciting because it often comes down to the last minute.
Every player and team has a unique circumstance, so while the deadline may cause uncertainty and despair for some, it may also present an opportunity for others. This year’s team is in a better position than in previous years and is anticipated to make a purchase, even if the Red Sox have a few players that have been the focus of trade rumors, most notably Jarren Duran.
Story stated that while that is a distinct dynamic, it also has its own complex dynamics.
It’s definitely a range of feelings. Story stated, “There’s a lot of excitement, but you also know you could be losing some teammates.” Every year is different, but this year we feel like we’re in a wonderful place, holding a slot, and we’re going to contribute and do our best there, which is exciting, in my opinion. It’s definitely a range of feelings, and I’ve been on the other side of it where you feel like you’re going to be doing nothing and that you might be traded.
Although Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated that it doesn’t actually work that way, Story stated that the team’s objective is to get the front office in a position where they must add. In the lead-up to the deadline, Cora advised players to try to stay in the present and avoid reading too much.
Additionally, he pointed out that not all trade rumors are true.
While recognizing that it might be difficult given how embedded social media has become in modern life, Cora added, “I can tell them stories about ESPN in the green room how people made (stuff) up, trades, and I can tell them that, don’t believe everything that’s said.” Many people are quite responsible with their contacts and exchange rumors, while others are not. Block it, then, and go play outside.
The Red Sox had survived the most difficult stretch of their schedule thus far going into Sunday, beginning the second half 3-5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs—all three of the National League’s division leaders. After spending most of his career on teams that ranged from fringe contenders to outright sellers, Story said it’s been a nice change of pace to be on a team where the front office has made it clear it’s looking to buy. The club also entered the day holding the third Wild Card spot in the American League.
It’s about winning, and we have a chance to achieve that and strengthen our team a little bit, Story said. I genuinely believe they’re searching for the best approach, and that’s exciting and enjoyable, especially in this community. We feel like we’ve been building on this for a few years, and now that we’re here, I think this organization is in a terrific position to achieve it, so it’s exciting, especially now.
Before the game, Cora was not given any updates on Marcelo Mayer, an infielder who has underwent imaging to assess the extent of his right wrist sprain. Chris Murphy, a left-hander, paid a subdued homage to the late Ozzy Osbourne on Friday night by pitching Black Sabbath’s War Pigs.
