The Boston Red Sox face a dilemma due to an abundance of skilled hitters, putting their $90 million outfielder/designated hitter in a tough spot. Masataka Yoshida, known for his outstanding hitting ability when healthy, is currently on the mend from shoulder surgery.
However, it’s unclear how or where the 31-year-old will fit into Boston’s lineup upon his return. The Red Sox outfield is already crowded, with All-Star Jarren Duran and young talents Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu (the American League MVP after two games) firmly in place, while top prospect Roman Anthony is also poised to make an impact.
There’s also no vacancy for Yoshida at DH, since manager Alex Cora recently declared superstar Rafael Devers as Boston’s regular designated hitter. FanSided’s Tim Smart suggested that a trade involving Yoshida seems inevitable. Yet, where might Yoshida end up? Smart proposed one potential destination. “Yoshida’s time in Boston appears limited,” Smart noted.
“Could the Sox offload him without absorbing part of his contract? It’s doubtful, but Craig Breslow will need to get creative to secure a sensible deal.” “While the Rockies have more economical alternatives than Yoshida, none are particularly promising. Their current strategy involves utilizing Nick Martini and Sam Hilliard as they anticipate Zac Veen’s debut.
Unfortunately, Veen posted a .281 OBP in Triple-A last season and had a strikeout rate exceeding 30% this spring.” “Would deploying a Yoshida/Kris Bryant DH rotation in Colorado be wise? Not really. But the Rockies have little to lose, and their thin pipeline means Yoshida could serve as a temporary solution while they navigate a challenging rebuild.”
“The Red Sox might need to cover a substantial portion of Yoshida’s remaining salary to facilitate a trade here. Despite Yoshida’s drawbacks, he would enhance the Rockies and bring some stability to their struggling lineup.” Yoshida has a batting average of .285 with 25 home runs and 128 RBIs during his tenure with the Red Sox. Although Boston would prefer to retain him, unless injuries occur (and soon), a move seems inevitable.
