The impact of the Boston Red Sox’s acquisition of star infielder Alex Bregman will reverberate throughout the 2025 season and possibly beyond. While the trade solves many of the Red Sox’s roster issues, it also introduces new challenges. Bregman’s addition promises to significantly strengthen the lineup with his potent right-handed bat and provide an upgrade to the infield defense, whether at second base or third base. However, his arrival also leads to a shift in playing time, especially for other players.
One individual who stands to be most affected by Bregman’s signing is designated hitter Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida was signed to a five-year, $90 million contract ahead of the 2023 season with the expectation that he would be a key presence in left field for the Red Sox. However, he has not quite met expectations at the plate and didn’t see much time in the field during the previous season. As Bregman is a natural third baseman and the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell waiting for a chance at second base, there is a growing assumption that Yoshida’s role in Boston could become redundant. This may lead to the possibility of Yoshida being traded to free up the designated hitter spot for Rafael Devers. The problem, however, lies in finding a team willing to take on Yoshida, especially without the Red Sox covering a significant portion of his remaining salary.
In a recent analysis, Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos suggested that the New York Mets might be a potential destination for Yoshida, considering that their current designated hitter options fall short of his offensive potential. The Mets’ current left-field setup includes Starling Marte, who is likely to start in left field, and Jesse Winker, who is penciled in at DH. While Yoshida has not fully lived up to the Red Sox’s expectations, Burgos argues that he could still be a better option than either Marte or Winker. Yoshida’s bat, which has shown more power than both players, could make him an appealing upgrade. Additionally, his ability to play left field might make him a younger and more reliable option than the 36-year-old Marte.
An interesting subplot is that Marte could have limited opportunities with the Mets, especially considering that Brandon Nimmo is expected to see more time in left field. This situation could open the door for the Red Sox to consider a trade involving bad contracts, potentially swapping Yoshida for a contract that would bring another right-handed hitter onto the roster.
Regardless of the specifics, it’s becoming clear that the Red Sox will likely need to evaluate possible trade destinations for Yoshida if they decide to restructure their roster. Despite his struggles in Boston, Yoshida is still a competent big-league hitter, and his contract, while limiting his trade value, might not fully reflect his potential. If the Red Sox do decide to move him, other teams could very well be interested in taking a chance on him, even with the financial constraints involved.
