With an 8-9 record going into Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox have struggled to put the ball in play, which has been a recurring issue at the plate. The Red Sox rank fourth in MLB in terms of strikeouts per game, with 9.71.
This indicates that they make more than one out of every three and fail to put the ball in play. With a K rate of 24.8 percent, they are fourth in the American League and eighth in MLB.
But their best contact hitter is not on the squad. Masataka Yoshida, an outfielder, had a strikeout percentage of just 12.4% last season, which is precisely half of the team’s current rate. However, Yoshida is currently limited to a lengthy spring training assignment while he heals from surgery on his right shoulder.
Yoshida will start a minor league rehab assignment following the extended spring. However, just how hurt is Yoshida? During the Red Sox’s spring training, he reached the plate 35 times, recording 10 hits, including a home run and a double. However, the Red Sox have stated that until his throwing ability is 100%, they do not want him with the big club.
The Red Sox may not have a spot for Yoshida anymore, which is their issue with him. He owes $55.8 million for the final three years of his five-year, $90 million contract. Yoshida no longer fits as a designated hitter because Rafael Devers has taken over the position where he played 101 of his 108 games in the previous season.
With Jarren Duran in left, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and 2024 Gold Glover Wilyer Abreu in right, the Red Sox also have a “no vacancy” sign in the outfield. Rob Refsnyder is also a backup outfielder with the Red Sox. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Roman Anthony, ranked as Baseball America’s top overall prospect, is anticipated to be called up to the major leagues soon after continuing to hit Triple-A pitching for an OPS of.885. Yoshida would then be an extra and Boston’s sixth outfielder.
The answer? To solve a different need, use Yoshida in a trade. Catching is what the Red Sox are all about. The Red Sox need to acquire depth at the critical position after sending their top catcher prospect, Kyle Teel, to the Chicago White Sox in the winter in exchange for lefty ace Garret Crochet.
Blake Mitchell, a prospect for the Kansas City Royals who was selected eighth overall in the 2023 first round selection out of Sinton High School in Texas, might have it. Mitchell, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Royals’ No. 2 prospect and 45th best player overall, is presently out due to a broken hand bone. However, with 18 home runs and an OPS of.815 for the Single-A Columbia Fireflies last season, he was voted the Royals’ George Brett Hitter of the Year.
“Yoshida would help this team compete even though he isn’t flawless. In his proposal for a Yoshida trade, Tim Smart of BoSox Injection noted, “The Royals are $70 million below the first (luxury tax) threshold, despite having their highest payroll since 2017.” “Kansas City might be one of the few teams out there that could take on Yoshida’s full contract and truly benefit from his performance.”
After winning 86 games and earning a postseason berth last season, the Royals—led by 2024 All-Star and AL MVP runner-up Bobby Witt Jr.—brought postseason play to Kansas City for the first time since the Royals won the World Series in 2015. However, Kansas City is off to an 8-8 start this season and is receiving perilously low output from outfielders Hunter Renfroe (.363), Kyle Isbel (.693), and M.J. Melendez (.285 OPS thus far).
If the Royals are ready to part with Mitchell, they might solve issues for both the Red Sox and the Kansas City club as they fight to return to postseason play. Carter Jensen is another catching prospect and is ranked No. 3 in their system.
