The Red Sox announced that outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida has been reinstated from the injured list, with first baseman Garrett Cooper designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Chris Cotillo of MassLive was among those to relay the moves on X.
The Sox have been scrambling to fill their first base and designated hitter mix since late April, as both Yoshida and Triston Casas landed on the injured list around the same time. They acquired Cooper from the Cubs in a cash deal and also signed Dominic Smith.
Neither Smith nor Cooper have played especially well, but Cooper’s results were far worse. Smith has two home runs and has drawn a walk in 11.7% of his plate appearances, leading to a .221/.325/.327 batting line and 88 wRC+.
Cooper, meanwhile, was hitting .270/.341/.432 for the Cubs before the deal but produced a bleak line of .171/.227/.229 since coming to Boston. Now that Yoshida is back, Smith gets to stay while Cooper has understandably been nudged off the roster by that poor performance.
The Sox will now have a week to trade Cooper or pass him through waivers. Given his poor results, the interest is likely to be tepid. He’s played a bit of corner outfield but is primarily a first baseman, where the offensive expectations are generally higher than up-the-middle spots.
Cooper at least has some decent results in his past that could help him generate interest. He hit .274/.350/.444 for the Marlins over the 2019 to 2022 seasons, with that performance translating to a 117 wRC+. Staying in the lineup was an issue, as various injuries limited him to 331 games over that span of three full seasons and the shortened 2020 campaign.
He then slumped a bit in 2023, despite a career high 17 home runs, as he struck out in 28.9% of his plate appearances and slashed .251/.304/.419 for a 96 wRC+. He had to settle for a minor league deal with the Cubs and got onto their major league roster. As mentioned, he performed pretty well, but in a small sample of 12 games. Though his decent batting line with the Cubs was buoyed by a .391 batting average on balls in play and also masked a 31.7% strikeout rate. The Cubs decided to move on in a move that was somewhat surprising at the time but seems wise in retrospect, given how far Cooper’s results have fallen in the interim.
Super duper
junkyard – When the Red Sox have the 2024 team reunion 20 years from now, Cooper will surely be invited for all his contributions. The private room at Chuck E. Cheese is already booked!
I’m not a Dom Smith fan but he’s had a few key at bats. When Casas returns though he’s gone barring another injury. I’d also consider DFAing Valdez again and bringing up Yorke who I think will surprise if given an opportunity now.
dewey – After tonight’s game, I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith gets DFA’d before Casas returns. Let Bobby Dee be the primary 1B and backup 3B, at least he’s solid defensively at both positions.
Fever: totally agree. Bobby D can’t hit but he can field. Dom barely hits and can’t field. Save the pitchers a few pitches with Bobby D’s defense
Brave killer will definitely be a Brave soon
Give him a look Cashman. He can’t be any worse than what Rizzo is.
Rizzo has been benched. Time to see if DJ at 1B can hit again.
Cabrera stinks too
He’s utility player and only got at-bats bc of DJ’s injury.
Lmao u serious the guy batted .171 with no power u don’t think he’s worse than rizzo such a clown comment
Kmk I’m very serious. Rizzo had a good April and tailed off in May. So far in June he’s 1 for 29. His defense hasn’t looked good all year. I don’t know if he’s not fully recovered from his concussion last year or he’s washed up but something is wrong with him.
Joe – You’re in luck, the Sox have a BOGO going on …. you can have BOTH Cooper and Dom Smith!
Combine their OPS and between the two of them you have a better player than Rizzo!
Free delivery too! Just swing by the Sox dugout Friday to claim them!!!
FPG Rizzo has worse numbers than Donaldson when they let him go. I think the only reason he has a job is he’s buddies with Judge.
Looks like the pickings are slim on first base upgrades.
Joe – The $20M price tag is probably a factor too, tough to eat $14M after just a couple months. And they are able to carry him a while, it’s not like he is killing their chances of making the postseason.
@Joe His clubhouse presence does play a factor. All of Rizzo’s batted ball profiles are down. The shift ban was suppose to also help him. I’m not sure if there’s anything left in the tank.
YBC I was thinking about the clubhouse thing but I saw on Foul Territory (I’m pretty sure that’s where I saw it) that if a guy is playing as poorly as Rizzo, the clubhouse presence doesn’t mean very much. But, yeah, that much money makes a difference.
I hope Rizzo can at least get back to serviceable because he’s a likeable guy who’s easy to root for.
Saw Rizzo drilled his own knee on a foul a week or so ago. Maybe he needs an IL stint.
He’s also a clubhouse leader and when you’re basically tied for the best record in the majors, why upset the applecart? If you have a real opportunity to improve your club, you take it. But taking a Sox cast off is not it.
@dewey Exactly. What’s the alternative? And you better be damn sure that his replacement is going to produce. Let things be until the deadline.
@Joe I disagree there. Leadership skills don’t go away even when on-field skills diminish. E.g. Pujols, Nelson Cruz, Joe Girardi, etc. I remember when Tony Clark was a Yankee and guys who’ve played the game touted him as a future manager or front office exec. Here he is still leading the MLBPA after 11 years.
YBC I agree with you but the guys on Foul Territory are ex-players and we have to give some credence to what they’re saying. I guess it’s kind of a fine line there.
Hard to trade Yoshida if you don’t showcase him!! There is no room in the outfield so he needs to DH and show teams his value so Devers can eventually move to DH!!
100% Spot on, TF!
Time to finish cleaning out the closet.
Mayer and Anthony should be moved up to AAA. Chase Meidroth is ready for The Show. Great eye, 48 BB to 27k, 437 Obp. RH bat who is prototypical #2 or #8 hitter. Makes way for Mayer in WooTown.
Nobody in AAA blocking Anthony. I thought they were both a year away, but you called it this spring. Both will be in Fenway before end of year.
Teel too, maybe. Mcquire could be traded with Hickey promoted to play back up. He can’t hit worth a crap, but neither can half the team. He can play bench until Teel is ready. I was off about Wong. He is much better than I thought.
Move Ceddanna back to CF, Spin off O’Neil and Yoshi, even at a loss to make room for the kids. Hamilton to bench or AAA. Either way, he has future..
Sox aren’t playing a season this year… It’s an extended spring training. Bring up all the Kid Sox and let them rock.
Heck, they might even accidentally grab a play off spot ( I know they won’t, but….)
DBH – Yes! Let the Kid Sox rock like Kid Rock!
Bawitdaba, da bang, da dang diggy diggy
Diggy, said the boogie, said up jump the boogie!
Their name is Kiiiiiiiiid SOX!!!!
ROFL!
Agree with much but not all. I’d keep McGuire unless the return is truly more than expected. As for Yoshida, I still see a batting title in his future. Let him get at bads and show his stuff. Then at the deadline when his average is over .300 and he starts knocking in runs, you may not get much back but you won’t have to pay down the contract that much either. Right now, it’s probably 50% minimum with a Blake Swihart type coming back. Remember when we laughed at both Swihart and Refsnyder? Ref needs to have his contract extended again. I was totally wrong about him as were most teams and fans…
dewey – Agree with most of that, but let’s wait on Ref …. 2 months isn’t enough to convince me he’s that good.
Last season? This year shows it’s not a fluke. Given his age, he’d probably jump at another two years.
Dewey – Look at the numbers, he was awful last year.
Dewey – A batting title? In the MLB or at AAA? Or back in Japan? In 7 seasons in Japan he hit .327 vs weaker pitching. There is no way he beats Witt, Soto and Judge in average during ANY season.
Swihart and Refsnyder? The bad catcher who was ranked higher than Mookie and was a bust? Refsnyder is a fourth or fifth outfielder. Good bench guy but definitely a bench guy.
Dewey – I think you were right about both guys and still are!!
TF – As you know I don’t do trade proposals very often, but how does this sound … McGuire, Jansen and Pivetta for Bohm.
Whatta ya think???
It fills the Phillies catcher vacancy with Realmuto out and gives them much needed pitching depth.
.
It fills the Red Sox need at 3B.
Teel replaces McGuire, Winck replaces Pivetta, and Hendricks replaces Jansen.
FPG I know this wasn’t aimed at me, but who would they replace Bohm with? He’s played all but 1 game this year. Also, I think this is a little one sided in favor of the Phillies. Bohm is a good player, not 2 good pitchers, one of whom is a premium closer, and a good catcher.
DBH – You are ALWAYS welcome to respond to any of my posts :O)
Trea Turner is close to returning, Sosa moves to 3B.
Easy Peasy!
As for the lightness, you’re talking about two 2-month rentals so I think that’s as good as can be expected.
And what do we do with Devers? If you move him to DH (I am all for that), what to do with Yoshi?
DBH – I have a suspicion Devers’ knee will bother him all season, therefore an immediate move to DH makes sense.
As for Yoshida, he’s a below average outfielder but he can still play the position and they would have to just suck it up and accept him in LF with O’Neill out. We know if Tyler is healthy he’s gonna be traded anyway, right? So between O’Neill and Rafaela sometimes playing SS, Yoshida can get playing time in LF. It’s not like he hasn’t played defense in 5 years or something.
Fever – Look at the positive, Devers knee hurting him won’t hurt his defense!!!! hahaha
I love Bohm but so does Phillie. No chance. If I were them I wouldn’t trade them Bohm straight up for Devers because he can field and hit.
Since we all know Wong isn’t for real I would offer Wong and Jansen for Aidan Miller and catcher Eduardo Tate. Miller can be the 3B in Boston for the decade we pay Devers the money and the catcher is 17 and looks to be a solid back-up with all-star upside potential that probably won’t happen but could.
Tyler can bring more prospects and will be a burden lifted due to his injury history. Great player when healthy but not healthy enough to earn the money he will want.
Fever, you are on the right track. Clean out all you can for a profit.
1 – Devers to DH
2 – Yoshida traded to a team with lots of power but not enough on base guys for the power to drive in
3 – Wong and Kenley for two Philly prospects #2 and #8 a potential all-star 3B and a 17 year old catcher with a high upside if Teel doesn’t work out.
4 – Trade O’Neill at the deadline to get more young outfielders with right handed power
The team has some nice opportunities but I doubt they will take them. If Breslow does, he will be in my good graces finally.
TF – I don”t see how Philly can hang onto both Sosa and Bohm longterm.
Sosa can play SS, 3B and 2B while Bohm can play only 3B and 1B. Both guys are under team control through 2026.
When Turner returns, what happens then? I don’t think Harper goes back to the OF, but I also don’t see how they take Sosa’s .873 OPS out of the lineup.
I think a year and a half of McGuire along with the two rentals (Jansen & Pivetta) is a fair return for Bohm.
Or would you rather have Sosa come to Boston?
you claim to be a fan of dombrowski but you must not think much of him if this a trade you’re seriously proposing.
All Star Game Appearances:
Garrett Cooper: 1
Yoshida 0
All Star Game Appearances:
Steve Swisher: 1
Grammy Wins
Busta Rhymes, Bob Marley, Queen, Diana Ross, Bjork, Run-DMC, Abba, Jimi Hendrix, Beach Boys, Chuck Berry: 0
ROFL!
Run-DMC got robbed!
DBH – Word!!
Christmas In Hollis was Da Bomb!!
I think it is ridiculous that “Grammy Award for Best Rock Album” only started in 1995.
How many times did Jethro Tull win for Best heavy metal?
Hetfield should’ve learned to play the flute!
I don’t pay that much attention to the R&R HOF since it took them a gazillion years to induct the Moody Blues.
But how did Jethro Tull win heavy metal? The dude led with the flute.
Dumpster – That is a good one! Steve has to be the worst player ever to make an All-Star Game!!!
Ironically his son made the ASG the same number of times, just once.
Good trivia questions!
I don’t know, Fever. Chris Cannizzaro was an all-star, too.
letit – Another great one! I’m learning a lot today, both those guys were before I got into baseball which is why I hadn’t heard of either one. Very interesting, thank you!
Wow. Ya, Okay.
I’m not a big fan of Yoshi, but even having a bad year, the dude is hitting .275 THIS YEAR as opposed to .171 for Cooper since coming over.
DBH – Since April 20th my little buddy is batting .583 with a .615 OBP, .917 SLG, and 1.532 OPS.
I bet Wheeler is trembling in his loafers right now!
bro, who is your little buddy. I think I missed that topic 🙂
A little alone time for Fever Pitch and his little buddy
DBH – Yoshida is listed at 5’8″ which means he’s probably 5’6″
I didn’t mean Gilligan ;O)
Do you think you just made an interesting point of some sort?
Cooper just never got going in Boston. Dalbec must be sticking around as well for now. Nick Yorke is coming very soon, the Sox are going to have an interesting situation at 2B
Dalbec is really the only alternate option at 3b to protect Dever’s knee.
As for 2B, Chase Meidroth is also making a case for the show, though the FO front office seems to be working over time on the Nick Yorke front in terms of PR.. Mlb.com and the globe are both fronting articles on Yorke..
DBH – Have you seen what Yorke has been doing in AAA? He deserves the publicity, he’s been sensational. I think he’s got a brighter future than Grissom.
When Romy is healthy he can cover 3B.
Then the Sox should bring them both up. They could use the depth in the infield
DBH – You think Cora will go with anything less than 13 pitchers? Not a chance! The bench will always be just 4 players including the backup catcher, unless there’s guys who are day-to-day and they haven’t decided yet if they will go on the IL.
I was looking back at the 2004 ALCS roster, only 11 pitchers. That’s why they were able to have Dave Roberts on the bench, so much more flexibility when you’ve got 6 bench guys instead of just 4.
I agree. Pedro and schilling both had over 200 innings, Wake and Lowe over 180, and even Arroyo had over 175.
Foulke, Timlin, and Embree at the backend of the pen… you didn’t need even 11 pitchers.
Then again, didn’t really need 6 fielders on the bench either lol
DBH – My bad, 5 bench guys as they had only 25-man rosters back then.
Cooper stinks he’s got a slow bat and hes not great defensively and
Meh Nick Yorke, Nick Sargent. Just a couple of Nick’s. Replaceable. Who’s a gonna notice?
Tabitha? Or maybe the nosey neighbor…
LOL! Well played by both of you, but I don’t think anyone under 50 here is going to get it.
Rsox – That nosy neighbor is the mother of Lenny Kravitz!
Rsox – I don’t share your optimism about Yorke. He may be better than Grissom but not because he’s good, he’s just a better league average player.at best.
Look at Yorke’s .260s averages at AA in 2023 and 204. That’s not impressive. He started hot at AAA this year IN 5 GAMES but that’s going to drop below .260 in no time. He and Grissom seem to be fairly equivalently talented and both are guys that will shine in the future unless there is a radical change to their historic performances.
Cooper was always a place holder just like everywhere he goes. He’s a utility corner infielder and has been and will be going forward. Not surprising to see the team move on from him to give Yoshi a chance to play.
TF – I’m not overly obsessed with Park Factor as some here are, but it’s true that April & May in Portland is not an ideal time of year to hit.
My understanding is Yorke hit very well on the road those two months, but I couldn’t find an online source that has Home/Road splits for minor leagues. Not even Savant has it, which surprised me.
Fever – I’ve watched games in Portland in the Spring and Fall and I ask you, is it dramatically colder there than Boston at the same time of the year?
That’s why a guy who starts slow in cold weather for the Boston Red Sox is not just experiencing something he will encounter in Boston if he ever makes the MLB team.but proving he has a weakness many other people competing for a job with the big club don’t have.
Yorke needs to be traded to surf city so he can play at full capabilities the whole season. What a wimp!!!! I remember when you played through blood blisters on your finger tips from hitting the ball off the end of the bat in cold weather. It was never an excuse back in the old days and it shouldn’t be now. He should join Cora in Puerta Rico playing in the warm weather all year round!!!
When my son played in a 14U Tournament with Team USA in Aruba he played against Bogaerts. Everyone said Bogaerts wouldn’t be able to be effective in the cold weather in Boston. As a player from such a warm weather climate he did an outstanding job playing in cold weather. Maybe Yorke should suck it up and adapt and stop having people make excuses for him!! FYI…. You could tell Bogaerts was going to be a stud at age 14!!
TF – Yes Portland is much colder than Boston!
Average low in Boston is April 41° and May 50°
Average low in Portland Maine is April 34° and May 44°
I agree everyone is different when it comes to cold weather tolerance. I grew up in New England but personally I want no part of the cold weather anymore, it makes me feel like Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining! LOL!!
The simple fact is Portland is one of the worst hitting environments in the minor leagues. The air is heavy and dense especially early in the season the wind seems to constantly blow in it’s just a really tough hitting environment.
I remember Bogey routinely started slowly especially at the beginning of his career. He always heated up when the weather got warmer and he wore all the cold weather gear very similar to how Yorke dressed early in the season. It wasn’t just Yorke Anthony commented on how hard it was to hit at Portland in April. He’s on fire now but he started very slowly and he said the cold in April was tough for him.
Bruin – Well said, thank you!
Baseball is a summer game, not meant to be played in the cold. That’s one reason why I never attended that many home openers or April games, just wasn’t worth it when they play over 130 games in May-Sept.
I attended some postseason games where the windchill was in the 30’s but I think the adrenaline and packed house helped make it more tolerable.
At least Dom Smith hangs on awhile longer.. He’s no superstar, but I like him.
Let – You jinxed him. Lol!
Huge 2-run error failing to make an easy catch of a throw.
Dalbec plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF, so he is more versatile than Cooper. They both hit equally bad. IMO, I would have chosen Dalbec over Cooper, but then again I would have picked even Franchy Cordero over Cooper. (….even 80 year old Yaz probably wouldn’t hit much worse than Cooper).
The 40-man roster is now at 39. Let’s see if any of the 60-day DL guys are ready: Whitlock, Hendricks, Giolito, Murphy, Story, Casas,…..
They do not need the extra 40-man spot for the other injured players: Martin, Mata, Walter, Gonzalez, Grissom,…. Wow, and to think the Red Sox have managed to stay at .500
June 11th and this team is 14 games back and a half a game out of last place. Breslow, you did not even give us a run for the money this year. Are we going to be Full Full Throttle the next off season as opposed to Full Throttle this past season? This will be probably the 4th year in last place out of 5 years. John Henry/ Breslow, are we supposed to give you 3 more years ? This franchise has sunk to new lows with John Henry’s lack of interest in baseball anymore and with GMs who are in way over their heads like Chaim Bloom and Breslow. What a pathetic team we have become!
Al – Did you hear about John Henry’s recent interview?
He said Sox fans are unreasonable because of our unhappiness with the product he’s been putting on the field the past 5 years. He thinks we should be happy the Sox are on pace for another losing record and last place finish. He thinks we should be happy the only time there are decent crowds at Fenway is when opposing fans fill it up like they did tonight. Who cares if Sox fans feel like they are at a road game when they are in Fenway.
It was good to see some old friends tonight.
Schwarber with two bombs to the deepest parts of the park
Strahm striking out the side on just 12 pitches, lowering his ERA to 0.67
Dombrowski chumming it up with Cora and looking absolutely giddy during a NESN interview.
And the Phillies dominated despite no Realmuto, no Turner, and jetlag from a long London-to-Boston flight.
Cora used two pinch hitters, one guy hitting .154 and the other hitting .147
Red Sox ownership is incapable of feeling shame.
Fever – That was outstanding!!! I am so loving the situation for DD to rub his good fortune in the faces of those who betrayed him.
You need to read between the lines on the Cora situation with him. DD is smiling and saying this is what you deserve after screwing me over in 2019!!! I couldn’t be happier that my recruit Sale finally got free from you as a manager and is back to performing to the level he should have for us if it weren’t for you. That has to feel great for DD!!!
TF – It’s funny how Dombrowski mentioned his many friends that he reunited with the past couple days, and smiled as everyone on the planet knew he wasn’t talking about Henry.
Not that Henry attends Red Sox games anymore, but this series was sure to be one he wouldn’t show up for.
And it was great watching NESN pre-game with Bradford, Caron and Rice all talking about how excellent and popular Dombrowski is. One of the things they pointed out is that Dombrowski usually knew which prospects to trade and which to keep.
Bradford said Dombrowski is the only executive who eats with the media, that’s how down to earth Dombrowski is. So I’m not surprised he has made many longtime friends over the years.
How many friends does John Henry have? They could re-make the movie Scrooged and have it be based on him.
I agee Fever Pitch. I liked Dave Dombroski and thought he did a good job. None of the prospects he traded has done anything earth shattering. Schwarber wanted to stay with the Red Sox too but after the team over achieved in 2021 Bloom was going to go back to mediocrity after that, cheap bargain contracts and high upside guys. The ownership is only interested in profits now and not putting a competitive team on the field. They pick up clowns like Bloom and Breslow because they will be Henry’s lap dogs and tell you it’s raining while peeking on your pants. This is a mediocre, lousy team. They are selling you this bs about developing talent and all that’s a cover for cheaper payroll. I said that this team would be out of it by the end of May beginning of June and I was right on the money.
Al – Schwarber was a beloved player in Boston who should have been re-signed, no question about it.
The farm system is ranked only 14th, so the development of talent hasn’t really occurred if you go by rankings. Time will tell if young players such as MATY and others can translate to quality MLB players.
I’m not sure what the peeking on your pants euphemism means, but I probably don’t want to know. LOL!!!
LOL meant peeing on your pants ! Prospects are prospects and some hit but many miss. I remember the Red Sox can’t miss prospects from the 1970s -1980s
Sam Bowen
Allen Riley
Winn Remmerswaal
John LaRosa
Jeff Ledbetter
John Mitchell
John Leicester
Tom McCarthy
Jeff Sellers
Joel Finch
Bobby Sprowl
Gary Hancock
Phil Plantier
All these guys were top rated prospects and most did not make it. They are hit or miss and a lot of them flop. Hell Jeff Ledbetter compared himself to Mike Schmidt. He could not make it out of Single A. Give me an established player any day of the week over a prospect who has to develop
We’re in great position. We have 7 young hitters and 4 young SPs going for us, with a good farm.. And without the injuries, we’d probably be the 3rd wildcard right now.
Yorke, Winckowski, Lugo and Romero for Garret Crochett.
“Meanwhile” can’t come in the middle of a sentence between commas. As a conjunctive adverb, it has to start the sentence.