The Boston Red Sox signed Nippon Professional Baseball star Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million contract before the 2023 season.
The lefty slugger had just been posted to MLB following an illustrious career in NPB. But it hasn't been the smoothest transition — Yoshida's .775 OPS in MLB pales in comparison to the .960 mark he posted in Japan. He's hit only 25 home runs in 248 games and his less-than-stellar defense hasn't helped matters. This, along with the Red Sox' stated desire to be aggressive this offseason, has led to rumors that Yoshida could be on the move.
If Boston is serious about swimming in the deep end of the free agent pool, it'll want to shed some payroll. Yoshida's steep salary and average-at-best performance make him an obvious trade candidate.
There's also reportedly been some tension between Yoshida and the front office over the fact that he hasn't played the outfield much in MLB. Moreover, Yoshida is one of a plethora of left-handed bats in the Sox organization, including the minor leagues. If there's any area where Boston has the depth to afford a loss, this is it.
The Red Sox have struggled to find suitors for a potential Masataka Yoshida trade
MLB rumors: Juan Soto, trade markets take shape before Thanksgiving https://t.co/MuUeaVUhaF
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 25, 2024
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, it doesn't sound like a trade is getting done any time soon. They just haven't found much demand for Yoshida's services given his contract. It's no wonder — $18 million a year for slightly above-average offense and poor defense isn't an easy sell. Yoshida's also already 31, and it's hard to see any team giving up valuable prospects or promising young big leaguers for three expensive years of a guy in his 30s who hasn't shown superstar potential during his time in MLB.
It's highly unlikely that the Red Sox are able to dump Yoshida's salary this offseason, which means they'll have less financial flexibility to go after the big names of free agency. Still, this news shouldn't discourage the front office. There are still holes to fill on this roster and there are players available that can fill them, even with this constraint.
And, at the end of the day, if the Sox really want to join the biggest spenders in the free agent market, that will mean exceeding the luxury tax threshold, with or without Yoshida's contract.