The “addition by subtraction” concept can be a tough sell for a disgruntled fan base reeling from the trade of a major player.
So the Boston Red Sox faithful will likely spend the foreseeable future heaving a boatload of negatively at the team, particularly its front office, after the shocking trade on Sunday of homegrown star Rafael Devers. Particularly given what is generally thought to be a light return for the 28-year-old slugger.
Certainly, on-field success from the players who remain would go a long way toward easing the anger of the fans. And one of the players who could potentially have a significant impact on that angst has not even played a game yet this season.
Masataka Yoshida Could Bat at DH While Rehabbing Arm
Masataka Yoshida has been on the injured list since spring training as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on his right shoulder. The injury does not impact Yoshida’s ability to swing a bat, which he showed in spring training, while going 10-for-35 with a home run and seven RBIs. However, the 31-year-old outfielder has not been able to throw 100 percent, only recently stretching his throws out to 105 feet.
With Yoshida as a bat-only option for the Red Sox, it didn’t make sense to use a roster spot on him while Devers was the full-time designated hitter. Now that Devers has been dealt to the Giants, Boston could put Yoshida at DH while still rehabbing his throwing arm.
In the third season of a five-year, $90 million deal signed before the 2023 season, the left-handed swinging Yoshida has slashed .285/.343/.433, with 54 doubles, 25 home runs, 128 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 248 games. While serving as a solid DH option, particularly against right-handed pitchers, Yoshida would also give Boston manager Alex Cora a dangerous pinch hitter for late-inning matchups.
However, despite the trade of Devers, the Red Sox still have a roster logjam in the outfield, and whatever decision they make to address that situation will likely impact Yoshida’s future with the team.
Outfield Logjam Could Still Result in Trade of Masataka Yoshida or Others
With the recent promotion of top prospect Roman Anthony, Boston boasts four everyday outfielders, as Anthony joins Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, along with Rob Refsnyder as a solid platoon option against left-handed pitching. Rumors have circulated for weeks about possible trades involving Duran, Rafaela and Abreu, but the sudden opening in the DH spot could allow the Red Sox to play all of their outfielders in a rotation, thus increasing the possibility of Yoshida being used as a trade chip.
Another by-product of trading Devers is the financial flexibility Boston now enjoys. Now that the Red Sox won’t have to pay roughly $250 million to Devers over the next eight-plus seasons, the team unexpectedly has money it could in theory put toward big-ticket items at the trade deadline, perhaps for a top-notch starting pitcher.
No matter how it plays out, the Red Sox already look drastically different than they did just a few weeks ago. And there will likely be more changes ahead.
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