Trevor Story’s trip to IL brings potential for real change
What Is the Role of an Interim Manager?
In considering how new interim manager Chad Tracy should deal with Trevor Story’s truly substandard play this season, I have found myself thinking about my own workplace. During my four years on that team, there have been five different people in the leadership role. And for a long time, there was no one, so maybe that counts as six? Three of those five (or six) were interim managers.
It was chaotic at times, as you might expect, but one of those interim managers hit the perfect note. They said that they weren’t there to make huge changes, only to steady the ship. That was reassuring. Our team attended a long-planned retreat, expecting to learn about new rules and regulations, and instead we were met with…a very pleasant holiday gathering. Getting to know our new manager and reconnect with each other—and just relax a bit after expecting swords to fall—was just what the team needed. That leader knew that and went on to build up the team, daily, in numerous ways. No need for details here, other than to mention that I received a couple of personal notes of support due to my own stint on the IL. Let me say it meant the world to know I had leadership’s support. In retrospect, I’d be surprised if I were the only one who received something of that nature. That’s leadership that gets a team back on track.
When a more permanent leader was eventually hired, the team building continued. The new person also moved purposefully: settling in, doing a lot of listening, strengthening communication. Surely changes will be made down the line. But no one is quivering in fear any longer, and there is more of a sense of shared purpose and mutual understanding and respect than I have ever seen.
All of this is to say that what worked with my work team might also work with Our Team: the Sox.
Story’s Struggles
Trevor Story’s troubles this season in all areas of the game are already well documented. His slash line to date is .206/.244/.303 with an OPS of .547. Dreadful, right? It gets worse. Eight walks, 57 strikeouts; his 32.4% strikeout percentage is the sixth-worst among qualified hitters. And that’s just offense. His OAA is -3 (that’s tenth percentile). He has six errors.
Despite calls for Story to be DFA’ed, I have supported Tracy’s patient, more measured approach with him, and the team in general. Despite my own thinking that it might be time to tinker with permanently moving Story down in the batting order, I see a lot in common between Tracy and recent leaders from my workplace team: favoring teamwork, community, and building people up over rash decisions, controversial positions, and immediately trying to undo past decisions that currently define the team.
This might be Leadership 101 for all I know, but it’s smart. Tracy knows it’s a marathon, not a sprint. He already has a reputation as someone who can work well with young players. With his cool head so far regarding Story, he is making a good first attempt at managing veteran players too.
Instead of immediately yanking Story, I wanted to see him get some off-days; Tracy recently did that. I envisioned at least some spot starts at second, to see if the reduced range needed for that position might be more in line with Story’s skills at this point. Alongside all of this, Tracy would be remiss to not have some private conversations about a more permanent position shift. Everyone, including Story, must know the hard conversations are coming. But providing the breathing room for the realization to dawn is important too.
Pulling the trigger on a quick, public DFA won’t help anyone. That single change isn’t enough to transform this into a playoff-caliber team, anyway. More importantly, young players like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony are watching, learning, and still trying to get their feet under them in their big-league careers. The Sox have already seen what can happen when the development process gets off track due to pressure and impatience.
Some have suggested that Story’s trip to the IL may not be legit. To that, I say…maybe? It might be Tracy being crafty, or protecting his player, while some of the tough conversations begin to take place. It buys time for sure.
How Will the IL Stint Change Things?
This dilemma around Story will play out differently now, and the groin injury provides a natural fulcrum for these tough discussions about Story’s role moving forward.
Andruw Monasterio got the start at shortstop on Saturday. That’s not my long-term preference; I would love to see them give Mayer a try at his natural position. It might make sense to ease Story into some kind of part-time role at second when he returns, to see how that goes. Maybe he’s rested and healthy and the position switch eases the burden on his body. If that’s the case, maybe he can contribute the rest of the way.
Nick Sogard is being called up from Worcester. There’s a lot of mutual respect between Sogard and Tracy. Sogard is a gamer and hitting well in Triple-A (.269/.417/.454 with .871 OPS), but I see him as depth, not starting caliber. Sports Illustrated suggested he might be the “spark plug” the offense needs though I think they have more need of a defibrillator.
No matter how this eventually plays out, Story’s stint on the IL offers both him and Tracy a path forward. There’s something for everyone: a natural break from a routine that simply isn’t working, room for Story to save face, security and trust for young players as they observe an inevitable veteran scenario, space for Tracy to continue righting the ship. Most importantly, there is now time to begin working on a solution to one of the thorniest problems facing the Sox this season.
