The Boston Red Sox entered the offseason with high hopes of building on their brief 2025 playoff appearance, their first in four years. Fans expected a flurry of activity, but the team took a different path. Alex Bregman departed, and surprisingly, the outfield surplus remained intact.
With Masataka Yoshida returning from surgery and Roman Anthony stepping up to the majors, the Red Sox face a conundrum. They have a crowded outfield situation with four to six players vying for spots, depending on where Yoshida and Kristian Campbell fit in. The designated hitter role remains flexible, making an outfield trade seem like the logical solution.
Ideally, the Red Sox would find a trade partner for Yoshida. However, this has proven challenging over his first three seasons in Boston. Insiders Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam suggest the team might face a tough decision regarding Yoshida's future.
"You wonder, at what point does this become a situation where you have to just cut ties?" McAdam speculated on the "Fenway Rundown" podcast.
The Red Sox are contemplating whether to release Yoshida, similar to their decision with Pablo Sandoval in 2017. Sandoval's stint in Boston was marred by poor performance and injuries, leading to his release despite a hefty contract. While Yoshida hasn't met expectations, he hasn't been a disappointment like Sandoval.
McAdam suggests the team might be waiting for Yoshida's contract to have less money remaining before making a move. Yoshida's five-year, $90 million deal, signed in 2023, is only halfway through, with over $36 million still owed. Releasing him would mean absorbing that financial hit.
Yoshida's contract and injury history complicate potential trades. He's never played more than 140 games in a season, totaling 303 over three years due to injuries.
The Red Sox might consider attaching a top prospect and covering part of his contract to make a trade more appealing, similar to their approach with Jordan Hicks. However, this would mean sacrificing a valuable prospect and more money just to move a dedicated player.
Fitting Yoshida into the roster isn't straightforward. While he hasn't been a liability, his trade value might diminish if he continues with limited playing time. Manager Alex Cora and GM Craig Breslow face a genuine challenge in resolving this roster puzzle.