The Boston Red Sox seem primed to enter another season with a logjam in the outfield. Part of said logjam is outfielder-turned designated hitter-turned outfielder again Masataka Yoshida.
Yoshida is entering the fourth year of his contract with the Red Sox, still without a permanent home position. His laundry list of injuries and inconsistency at the plate haven't helped Boston find him a long-term job.
Reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive thinks that job will come with another team. In his list of 26 predictions for the 2026 season, Cotillo expects Yoshida to be off the roster by Opening Day. He didn't specify whether he expects the move to come via trade or if he expects Yoshida to be designated for assignment.
A DFA seems more likely, as the Red Sox have had zero success finding trade suitors for him in the past. Cotillo noted that this isn't the first time he's predicted that Yoshida will be gone before Opening Day, and if he somehow makes it another year, it probably won't be the last.
Red Sox insider predicts Masataka Yoshida will not be on the Opening Day roster... again
Yoshida is in a particularly sticky situation on Boston's roster. He's not fast on his feet and he doesn't have a strong arm, so his status as a full-time outfielder has always been questionable. Roman Anthony's arrival, as well as Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu's Gold Glove-winning defense further complicate the issue.
The Red Sox also like to keep their DH spot open and flexible for matchup-based lineups. Yoshida's permanent presence there goes against Alex Cora's ideal roster construction plan. Triston Casas and Willson Contreras will also spend some of their playing time as the DH and both have greater power potential than Yoshida.
The 32-year-old has had his moments in a Red Sox uniform. He's been known to slug a clutch home run or two and he was one of Boston's best bats during its playoff push and into the Wild Card round — he batted .333/.351/.486 in September and he logged four hits and two RBI during the Sox's three postseason games against the Yankees.
There could still be some hope of a trade after Yoshida's successes on the September and October stage, but Sox fans shouldn't get their hopes up. Boston would surely have to eat a chunk of his salary or throw another player in to sweeten the deal, neither of which it'll be excited to do.
Yoshida still has something of a cult fanbase among Red Sox fans, and many people wouldn't be upset to see him stay another year. But his fit with the team is confusing and troublesome at this stage, so Cotillo's prediction may well be correct.