Trevor Story reacts to Xander Bogaerts news
Was Trevor Story surprised to hear the news that Xander Bogaerts is switching to second base?
"Yeah, definitely," Story said.
"Because he's a good. He's a good shortstop and I know he takes a lot of pride in his defense. But it kind of speaks to the teammate that he is, obviously, they're doing that. To be on board for it for it to work and it sounds like he is."
Story offers unique perspective when it comes to multiple facets of the Bogaerts decision. He was the shortstop who agreed to switch to second upon signing with the Red Sox in 2022, leaving Bogaerts at his original position. And then there was having to acclimate to the right side of the infield, a place Bogaerts hadn't experienced until now.
"I have no doubt he's gonna be one of the better second baseman," Story said. "The things that I did that helped me was taking that shortstop mentality to second base. He will do that.
"One of the biggest challenges for me, or just something I need to get comfortable with, was going right. Feeling the ball and then throw it to the right. Because that's really never a case at short. So, just kind of the flip to your right to turn that double play. Just a little different footwork, a little different angles. Being on the other side of the bag, the ball comes off a little different than you ever used to. But you get a week over there, and then you're good."
And then there is the mindset, which is an unavoidable part of the equation.
"There's definitely that to it," said Story of having to adjust to being identified as something other than a shortstop. "Yeah. But it's about winning. And if that's what we needed to do that's what we did for the year. For Bogey, he's gonna keep that mentality that he's still the big boy that played short. I think he's just going to transfer that to second base."