When the Boston Red Sox signed Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million deal in 2023, there was hope the Japanese standout from Nippon Professional Baseball would make an immediate impact in MLB. After all, this was a hitter who posted a .320 batting average or better in every season in Japan.
But while the 30-year-old has brought strong contact skills with a .280+ average in each of his two seasons in Boston, Yoshida’s lack of defensive value has made him expendable.
Why Will the Boston Red Sox Trade Masataka Yoshida?
Many Red Sox fans believe there’s a good chance Yoshida will be traded soon. Indicating there’s no spot for him, one fan wrote, “Nowhere to put him. Trade for prospects. Or bullpen depth.”
In response, another wrote, “It’s so tough. I really like the guy but I feel we just do not need him.”
The Red Sox have the top farm system in baseball, which has created a logjam in the outfield. Wilyer Abreu has played well, Ceddanne Rafaela is an elite defensive center fielder, and Jarren Duran is locked into left field. Roman Anthony, one of MLB’s top prospects, is also close to being called up.
The infield is just as crowded. Rafael Devers has shifted to full-time designated hitter after the team signed Alex Bregman. Meanwhile, another top prospect, rookie Kristian Campbell, has been a pleasant surprise at second base.
Yoshida has already been a liability with the glove, so his best fit is as a designated hitter. But that role is now taken by Devers, and the last thing the Red Sox want is for a veteran to block young players like Abreu, Rafaela, or Anthony in the outfield.
There just isn’t a clear spot for Yoshida right now, which is why many fans think a trade is coming. The real question is, which team would be willing to take on the remaining three years and $54 million owed to a full-time DH with limited power?
Which MLB Team Is the Best Fit for Yoshida?
To make sense, a trade partner for Yoshida needs to be a contender with a need at DH and room in the budget to take on his deal. They should also value a left-handed hitter with strong contact skills.
One option could be the San Francisco Giants. The team is off to a great start, winning eight of its first 11 games as of April 9. Wilmer Flores is currently the primary DH, but Yoshida could slide into that role.
Pairing Yoshida with Jung Hoo Lee, another elite contact hitter, would help give San Francisco an offensive identity focused on putting the ball in play and limiting strikeouts.