For much of his tenure in MLB, Masataka Yoshida's fit with the Boston Red Sox has been complicated. He was primarily an outfielder in 2023, then turned into a designated hitter with long injured stints sprinkled in each year.
Between his injuries and spells as the DH, Yoshida's time with Boston hasn't gone as expected, especially regarding the constant trade rumors. Players aren't traded as often in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) where Yoshdia began his career and the frequent press has weighed on him. The veteran said as much in a recent interview in Fort Myers at Red Sox spring training.
“That’s something I didn’t really experience back in Japan. Trades don’t really happen as often as here. It’s something new, but to trade somebody, both parties have to agree, right? It’s gonna be tough. It’s part of the business but I just want to say it’s something that has been new to me after I got here,” Yoshida said through an interpreter (via Chris Cotillo of MassLive from February 15).
Yoshida could be experiencing serious mental whiplash — the trade rumors stand in stark contrast to some of the comments Alex Cora has made about his importance to the team, including that he's one of the best hitters on the squad.
The Red Sox aren't going to use Masataka Yoshida to the best of his strengths. They should just trade him.
If that were true, the Red Sox would've made more space for Yoshida on the roster every day. Instead, they'll likely enter the 2026 season with the logjam in their outfield and multiple players who will need reps in the DH spot, including Yoshida, Jarren Duran, Willson Contreras and, in due time, Triston Casas. Kristian Campbell may also need reps in the outfield, depending on Boston's plan for him and whether or not he makes the Opening Day roster, which could add another player to the DH mix.
The Red Sox can't justify playing Yoshida in the outfield with as many excellent defenders as they have and they like to keep their DH spot flexible for matchup-based decisions. The club should spare Yoshida and itself from the uncertainty of the rest of his contract and trade him already.
Cotillo reports that there has been some trade interest in Yoshida this past winter. His recent string of injuries and labrum surgery could lower the price of the Red Sox's return, but they already have a blueprint for similar moves after the Jordan Hicks salary dump to the Chicago White Sox.
If Boston isn't going to use Yoshida to his full potential, it should do him a favor and save itself a roster spot — just trade him. Yoshida has been nothing but a team player as the Red Sox have moved him around the field and shuttled him between Boston and Fort Myers as he rehabbed his multiple injuries. He deserves a spot in the lineup of a team that needs him, and that isn't the Red Sox, no matter what Cora says about his hitting skills.
Yoshida has something of a cult following among Red Sox fans and it would hurt to see him go. He's had a fair few clutch moments during his tenure and plenty of fans believe they haven't yet seen his offensive skills at their full potential, but Boston's poor roster construction doesn't allow for him to play where he's most useful. Now, the Red Sox would be best served having his roster spot open and the DH spot flexible, since they're going to insist on doing so anyway.