Masataka Yoshida had a difficult year in 2024, as he was limited to just 108 games by a thumb injury that wound up causing tension between him and the Red Sox front office. On top of that, Yoshida played just one inning in the outfield last year and was utilized as a platoon player with few opportunities against southpaws. He hit just .280/.349/.415 in 421 trips to the plate during the 2024 campaign before going under the knife to repair the labrum in his right shoulder back in October.
As noted by Chris Cotillo of MassLive, manager Alex Cora told reporters when asked throughout the season about Yoshida’s limited use in the outfield that using him nearly exclusively as a DH was not due to a health issue and instead was a vote of confidence in the defense of the club’s numerous other outfield options. That seems as though it wasn’t entirely the case, however, as Cora acknowledged at yesterday’s Fenway Fest fan event that the shoulder issue Yoshida played through last year limited his ability to play the field by causing problems with his throwing.
“Yeah, our outfield defense was great last year, but in a perfect world, if he was healthy, he was going to play the outfield,” Cora said, as relayed by Cotillo. “The throwing part of it wasn’t there so that’s the reason he actually didn’t play. Hopefully, we can get him there and we can use him in the outfield, too.”
At the time of Yoshida’s surgery, the Red Sox expressed optimism that he’d be ready for Opening Day, and he appears to remain on pace for that goal. Cotillo noted that the 31-year-old is about two weeks away from taking dry swings and could begin a throwing program in March, which might lead him to be ready in a DH-only capacity for the start of the season before later returning to the outfield grass as needed. Having Yoshida limited to DH duties early in the season shouldn’t be a massive obstacle for the Red Sox, who have no established everyday DH at the moment and are deep in outfield options with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Rob Refsnyder, and perhaps even top prospect Roman Anthony all in the mix for playing time at the moment.
Of course, this all assumes that Yoshida is still in the organization by the time Opening Day rolls around. The Red Sox have made getting more offense from the right side a clear priority this offseason, but the club’s roster is filled with quality regulars who bat from the left side. Duran, Rafael Devers, and Triston Casas all bat lefty and are ticketed for everyday roles as things stand. They’re joined by Abreu and Yoshida as likely platoon options from the left side, and Anthony also figures to get regular at-bats from the left side once he’s promoted to the majors.
Between previous reports of tension between Yoshida and the Red Sox as well as his questionable fit on the club’s roster, it’s hardly a surprise that Yoshida has found his name at the center of trade rumors this winter. Yoshida himself acknowledged the buzz surrounding him yesterday, telling Cotillo that he has heard the rumors but that a hypothetical trade is “out of [his] control.” To this point, it doesn’t seem as though the Red Sox have gotten much interest in Yoshida from rival clubs and have similarly had little success convincing a club to take on the final three years and $55.8MM remaining on his contract as part of a larger deal.
It’s a hefty price to pay for a player who might profile best as a platoon DH. After all, Joc Pederson is a cut above Yoshida as a hitter in a similar role and settled for a two-year, $37MM guarantee with the Rangers earlier this winter. That contract suggests that the Red Sox may only find a taker on Yoshida if they’re willing to pay his salary down to something below Pederson’s guarantee or take on another inflated contract in return. Given that, it could make sense for the club to hold onto Yoshida for at least the start of the 2025 season in hopes he can build up his value and a more favorable deal can be worked out down the line. That plan would require committing significant playing time to Yoshida for at least the first few months of 2025, potentially blocking Anthony from impacting the big league club early in the year and creating a bit of a logjam in the outfield.
Lol
Tom – Yup, I called it! I specifically said yesterday and today they would make this another separate article. Can’t blame them though, Red Sox articles generate a TON of traffic and comments ;O)
Here’s a few other topics from FSG Fest that could be made into separate articles:
1) Rafaela gained 10 pounds of muscle and looks great!
2) Hamilton is expected to get some time in the outfield
3) The new alternate jerseys will be green.
4) Cora wouldn’t move Devers if they acquire Bregman, but he would consider it if they acquire Arenado.
What did you say about the green!?!?
I wasn’t much of a fan of the yellow but I understand the marathon is important.. but green??? It’s not saint patricks day all year!!!
sad – I’m not a huge fan of green in general, but the dark green they use on St. Paddy’s Day does look good if it’s *hopefully* combined with black or white trim/pants.
Please God no green & red, I don’t want to think “Christmas” in July!!!
And FTR I’m not a fan of the yellow & baby blue at all.
Okay here’s a few more ….
5) Netflix will be broadcasting the 2024 Red Sox documentary over 8 installments of 45 minutes each.
6) Cora wants to make Mayer a super-utility guy, having him work out at 3B and 2B.
7) Sox hope to extend Crochet, Anthony, Campbell and Mayer because they don’t want a gap of contracts the way they had after Mookie and Xander left.
8) Cora had the best quote of the day, comparing Roman Anthony to “JD Drew with energy”.
There are lots of great stories out of fanfest and most are best suited for Red Sox specific websites. There’s a lot to be excited about in Boston. But Yoshida isn’t part of that excitement and there. Have been trade rumors involving him all offseason. People see a .280 batting average and think he’s an MVP. But clearly that’s not the case and the reasons Boston doesn’t want him are the same reasons no other team sees him as a positive value in a trade.
mom – I have to respectfully disagree.
People see Yoshida as an on-base machine who has a history of hitting for a very high average and hitting a lot of clutch homeruns. He hasn’t been 100% in his two years with the Red Sox, let’s see how he does with a full year of health …. whether it be with the Red Sox or some other team.
But I don’t think any team will touch him until he proves to be fully healthy, and BTW having him play some outfield will help rebuild his trade value. So whether Cora means it or not, I’m glad he said it.
And realistically, a healthy Yoshida isn’t worse in the outfield than Ref or Romy.
He has work to do to prove he’s trade worthy. If the Sox get the best out of him in their lineup, that’s the best case scenario. I read him playing the OF as trying to boost his trade value. In the same way that Arenado going to “Seattle or Detroit” is simply to boost his value so a team like Boston or the Mets are willing to give up more for him.
mom – Agreed, it’s all posturing. Every team does it.
So im not gonna list them all but sure seems like lots of moving parts in the outfield and infeild as well…well except devers..lolthe one guy that needs a position change..really hoping this isnt one of those 162 games 162 lineups years..that never works out well…
Casas is also not a moving part. And certain outfielders won’t be in centerfield, for sure. But having players who can play multiple positions is kind of by design, I think. As positions solidify, there will be less movement.
Pool – We all know Cora loves his matchups. I can totally picture guys like Yoshida, Abreu and Rafaela getting days off against lefties and then getting brought in off the bench when a RHR is brought in.
There will probably be just 1 guy remaining on the bench for many games, sometimes not even one.
Rafaela is a RHH?
Hope is not a strategy. That said, I have the Yankees and Red Sox as the top two teams in the AL East.
Omg! Now that’s a solid decision. Do you know that one time the Sox were scouting from a Ferris wheel in Japan & he actually made an incredible catch? Oh brother! These posts ought to be good. Ok! Ok! Ok! Craig…. I actually think you’ve done a fine job this off season. Now let’s get the right handed bat & Tanner Scott. What RH banded Ol Scotty boy? You pick it my man. Sheesh!
He’s a great pure hitter. I think Masa is due for a much better 2025. It’s not the best roster fit but I’m optimistic he can add value to a playoff-bound team in Boston.
You need to amend that. Yoshida is a great hitter vs RHP. He is pretty bad vs LHP with a .239 BA, .669 OPS, and 73 OPS+.
He was actually rock solid against LHP in 2023 – those numbers tanked in 2024. Not enough sample yet to be sure what his baseline is.
He’s a platoon DH/backup OFer. He has a place in MLB, but the contract is a problem that prevents moving him.
They’re going to play him in an attempt to move him in a trade mid season. Nothing more. Otherwise move on from him as he will DFA’d if a taker cannot be found.
Bobby – He is NOT being DFA’d unless his hitting really tanks.
The Red Sox will NOT pay him $56M to play for some other team, they are NOT that dumb.
He had a 112 OPS+. He is not getting DFA’d. As Youk mentioned above, the issue is fit, not talent.
I’ve read comments today of DFA’ing Arenado and now Yoshida. These are wild times.
@Bobby
He had a .349 OBP and a OPS around .750. In what world is that worthy of being DHd. Sox didn’t do him any favors by not reporting he was suffering from an injury. The fact that he missed games and had a regression possibly because of an injury can explain away a lot. Why would they hide it and this make anyone who might be interested think being a DH exclusively had to do with inability as opposed to an injury? but he’s owed $54 mil. he’s not going to be sent to the minors, not should he. And really, that’s bat district to a proud Japanese player.
Trade simulator has Yoshidas trade value at negative 24 million. That seems about right to me. I suppose they could wait until midseason to trade him and see if he can get it together and stay healthy. But if they want Bregman or Arenado then he’s got to go. And with all the lefty bats in the system he’s probably on his way out soon regardless.
Not a bad fallback option for a team that misses out on Santander. Either won’t have to pay much in prospects or will get him cheap
What could go wrong? He can’t throw right now because of surgery to his throwing shoulder and only De La Cruz, Profar, and Schwarber were worse defensively in LF in 2023
Yes, I was lying to you all last year. But now, while I’m trying to work out a trade? Trust me bro!
Absolutely
Alex Cora is a liar and cheater; Yoshida would be wise to not trust what he says.
I thought they were going to use him to kill trades. lol
If Yoshida is taking away ABs from our Lord and Savior Roman Anthony I will be livid.
I hope this is a ruse to pique other team’s interest in trading for him because defensively he’s a good DH.
You have a GG winner in RF (Abreu), a GG caliber defender in CF (Rafaela), a player that has made strong defensive strides in LF (Duran), and the number one prospect in the game (Anthony). There is no reason to weaken that alignment unless someone in the OF or the Infield in Rafaela’s case gets injured
Rsox – I said a while ago Yoshida will be the #2 OF backup if he stays with the team, that’s all it is. There will be PLENTY of opportunities for him to play.
First of all, you know if Rafaela starts a game in the OF he will be pinch-hit for by Ref or Yoshida depending on who is available.
Anthony will get days off, Duran will get some days off (unlike last year), and if Rafaela is needed in the infield then that provides even more opportunities for Ref/Yoshida in the outfield.
Bottom line, if it helps rebuild Yoshida’s trade value then I’m all for it.
I think you meant “gold glove finalist” instead of “made strong defensive strides” for Duran. Anthony will start in Worcester and someone is getting traded at the deadline.
Idaho – Yep, there’s no shame in losing the GG to Varsho.
Duran was very, very worthy of the award …. unlike Rafaela who wasn’t even nominated for an OF GG or Super Utility GG.
Red Sox trying to increase his trade value.
Totally.
This is officially the darkest timeline…
No. Trade his ass.
As a big Sox fan I still remember his big homer at Yankee stadium to tie a game. Sox had little to celebrate last year, but it will be awhile till I forget that clutch moment.
He’s not going anywhere. The Sox won’t pay down his salary enough to get someone too take him even with a prospect. They also won’t DFA him.
Best chance is he has a super hot first half and a blind and deaf GM trades for him.
“He hit just .280/.349/.415”
That’s 12% better than league average. I’ve seen worse performances on MLBTR referred to as respectable or even solid.
That’s probably a “just” relative to contract and that he was DHing last year (and even if he can offer an acceptable OF going forward, it’s not a value added, right?). No unfair in isolation!
Where I think people really go wrong is to overlook how misleading a 108 game season can be that involved an in-season injury followed by a weak stat line for over a month. .653 OPS in the 28 games immediately upon his return, .833 OPS for the remaining 56 games. Think maybe he would have put up an .800 or so OPS if he had had a straight healthy season? We can’t presume that, but the pieces fit for that to be eminently possible.
I was going to say the exact same thing, golga! Very weird characterization.
How about a trade with the giants (who need LH bats anyway)
To Sox: Doval and bring home Yaz (imperfect fit but only has 1 year left and can actually play the OF)
To SF: Yoshida (plus all his money owed) and Casas. +/- a lottery ticket arm to sweeten deal
Honestly the cards should bite the bullet. Yoshida and Casas for arenado,( whatever amount makes arenado and yoshidas contracts even) and helsley. Minor parts either way to make it work. Obviously arenado wants out and it’s now awkward with cards and it’s now awkward for the Sox and yoshida. Cards need space for youngsters on the infield and maybe yoshida can raise his stock and become trade bait for the cards at the deadline while getting a young first baseman. Red Sox improve their defense and maybe arenado regains his stroke while the Sox also puck up a top 5 reliever. Looks like a win win
Not surprising. It’s hard to justify having a player who can’t hit 20 homers taking up the DH spot.
@Darren
Who’s he blocking at the DH spot?
As about half the posters in here wrote, this looks like an obvious attempt to enhance his trade value. Barring injury, there is no chance Yoshi makes anything more than a token appearance in LF. Duran is easily twice as good, and there is no L/R advantage.
As it is, we are less than a year from having to trade one of our starting OFers.
Comparing Yoshida to Pederson is pretty flimsy. The latter is a longtime MLBer whom we know at this point – he has not only proven that he is a pure platoon guy but also has been heavily used as such the past three years, goosing his numbers. He also is a mixed-contact power bat, which baseball has plenty of.
Yoshida has only played two seasons in the league, with the first being the expected year of adjustment and the second seeing a major injury setback. He had a not-unusual slow first couple of weeks and was just starting to heat up when he got hurt, and then he struggled *badly* upon returning, suggesting that he wasn’t 100% yet, needed to get his timing back, etc. He has seen basically full usage against LHP in both years, and his splits were just fine in 2023 before tanking against leftied in 2024.
Over his final 56 games (s0, more than half his 2024 season overall) last year, he hit .301/.374/.459, with his usual strong eye.
It’s quite possible that that is what Yoshida will be for the next few years, with a step up from his adjustment “rookie” season that was disguised last year because of injury. And, if so, that .800ish OPS comes in the form of very strong contact, a profile that is harder to find in today’s MLB and helps fill out a stronger overall lineup in terms of challenging pitchers in different ways, forcing contact against pitcher’s pitches, etc.
That doesn’t remotely assure anything, nor do I think that is a fair sales pitch, but the point is that folks are treating him as a set and known quantity when that is anything but the case. Maybe he will prove a split guy or maybe the latter half of his 2024 season was simply a hot streak, but by any good sense that remains to be seen and requires more sample to figure out.
They will play Yoshida in hopes that he improves in 2025 so he can be traded in mid season or next year. Most hitters coming from the Japanese leagues have done much better in the third and fourth years of their contracts in MLB. Yoshida may as well. The plain truth is that he does not hit with enough power to be the team’s DH. He also does not field well enough to be on the field. That part should have been easily known before doing his contract. Like it or not, its a bad contract and they seem stuck with him going into 2025. This essentially blocks the acquisition of a power right handed bat to fit into the DH role.
Castillo + Haniger for Casas + Yoshida + 10mil?