When it comes to signing International Players, the Boston Red Sox have never been shy to dip their toes in the water. That was the case when they handed out a five-year, $90 million contract to Masataka Yoshida.
Three years into the five-year period, Yoshida has been a disappointment. If Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow could trade him, he would. He has two years and $37.2 million remaining through the 2027 season. However, with each passing season, the contract is looking like an overpay. It’s gotten so bad that Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report didn’t beat around the bush when it comes to Yoshida.
Boston Red Sox Get Bad News on Masataka Yoshida’s Contract
With the 2026 season just two weeks away from beginning, Kelly listed each team’s worst contract entering the 2026 season. For the Red Sox, he listed Yoshida’s contract as the worst on the books in Boston. It shouldn’t be surprising.
“While Masataka Yoshida has gotten strong results in the World Baseball Classic for Japan, it’s fair to say that he’s been a bust to this point in his MLB career. Over his first three MLB seasons, Yoshida has been worth just 1.5 WAR total, per FanGraphs. Since posting minus-four defensive runs saved and minus-eight outs above average in left field during his rookie season, the Red Sox have treated Yoshida like a DH, as he’s played just 45 innings in the outfield over the last two seasons,” Kelly wrote.
Last season, injuries cut Yoshida’s season down to just 55 games, where he slashed .266/.307/.388 with four home runs and 26 runs driven in. His best season was in his rookie year of 2023. The 32-year-old slashed .289/.338/.445 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs in 140 games. He had 33 doubles and 155 total hits. He finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting that season.
The last two years have seen a drop off, which led him to being named to have the worst contract entering 2026.
Boston Red Sox Stuck With Masataka Yoshida
It’s no secret that manager Alex Cora enters the season with a surplus of outfielders. There were rumors that maybe one might have been moved this offseason, but instead, Breslow is bringing them back. Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela are the projected four Opening Day outfielders. That leaves Yoshida relegated to being the Boston DH.
“Yoshida is an obvious change of scenery candidate for a Red Sox team that has a surplus of outfielders, and will likely use Jarren Duran as their primary DH to open the season. The two choices chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has right now are to keep Yoshida as an expensive bench player or subsidize a trade for a minimal return,” wrote Kelly.
Yoshida is a clear trade candidate for Breslow. However, it’s going to be very difficult to get someone to take him. Cora will begin the season with Yoshida as his DH, given the logjam in the outfield. If he can remain healthy, then a bounce-back season could be in the works. If not, then it could get sticky in Boston for Yoshida and the Red Sox.
Red Sox Get Brutal Reality Check When It Comes to $90 Million Outfielder