The Boston Red Sox never fully resolved their outfield-designated hitter logjam, and once again it may create a roster conundrum. For much of the season, things had worked themselves out one way or another.
Spending most of the season without Roman Anthony certainly wasn't ideal, but it did make for a cleaner lineup card. His return, of course, has been music to our ears, and it saved the Red Sox from another tough roster decision due to the injuries to Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela.
There's a point where push might come to shove, though, and Boston is forced to make a tough choice. Chad Tracy won't rule out Yoshida returning in time for the playoffs, which would lead to some interesting decisions.
"He's [Yoshida] not on the 60-day (injured list). It's just a matter of how does he heal over the next handful of weeks," the interim skipper said.
If the 33-year-old can return in time for October, it could put the likes of Mickey Gasper or Nick Sogard in the crosshairs. At which point, the Red Sox will have to make a choice and leave someone unhappy.
Masataka Yoshida shouldn't cost Mickey Gasper or Nick Sogard a spot on the Red Sox playoff roster
Just because Yoshida can come back (and that's still up in the air) doesn't mean he should. The NPB veteran has done what he's always done since coming stateside, hit for some average and get on base, but has provided very little in the power department.
Through 87 games, he's hit .274/.347/.399 with five homers, which is nothing to sneeze at, but doesn't really scratch the Red Sox's power itch. On top of that, despite what we saw in the World Baseball Classic, he has little defensive value and will be a nonfactor in the outfield coming off a serious hamstring strain.
Comparatively, Gasper's hot bat better fits what Boston needs. While he might simply be riding the wave rather than emerging as a true offensive force, the switch-hitter has brought the pop with eight dingers in just 187 plate appearances and a .500 slugging percentage, all while providing similar contact and on-base numbers to Yoshida.
Furthermore, he has some value in the field with the ability to fill in behind the plate if needed, as well as play first base. That alone gives him an edge over the DH-only Yoshida.
As for Sogard, his offensive profile is similar to Yoshida's, but his positional versatility is far superior. Depending on Curtis Mead's recovery, Sogard is a valuable insurance policy at second base that should have him over Yoshida in the October pecking order, too.
Craig Breslow's failure to move Jarren Duran before he became a radioactive asset is the real key here. Not only does it represent a missed opportunity for the Red Sox, but it is also the main barrier for Yoshida, given that Boston can't really afford to carry a DH-only player. With that, the choice should be clear. Even if Yoshida is healthy, he needs to sit this October out.
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