Masataka Yoshida is about to endure an MRI on his proper shoulder, supervisor Alex Cora informed reporters (together with MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo) after right this moment’s sport. Earlier right this moment, Carlos Yamazaki of Tokyo Sports activities reported (through X) that Yoshida was contemplating having surgical procedure, as Yoshida mentioned he has been bothered by shoulder soreness for a lot of the season.
The 31-year-old Yoshida didn’t play in Boston’s season-ending 3-1 win over the Rays right this moment, thus ending his second MLB season with a .280/.349/.415 slash line and 10 dwelling runs over 421 plate appearances. That interprets to a 115 wRC+ in 2024, and after he had comparatively related numbers in 580 PA in 2023, Yoshida now has a 112 wRC+ over his 248 video games and 1001 journeys to the plate as a giant leaguer.
Between these stable numbers and the truth that he is without doubt one of the league’s hardest gamers to strike out, Yoshida’s first two Main League seasons have been fairly respectable total. Nonetheless, greater than “respectable” was anticipated when the Sox signed him to a five-year, $90MM deal in the course of the 2022-23 offseason. Seen as an overpay of a contract from former Purple Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, Yoshida appeared to reply his critics with some very robust numbers in 2023 earlier than fading down the stretch.
His 2024 was restricted in one other sense, as Yoshida was nearly completely a delegated hitter. Whereas Cora reiterated right this moment that Yoshida’s utilization was extra on account of Boston’s outfield surplus than on account of issues about Yoshida’s protection, the actual fact stays that Yoshida performed in only one sport as an outfielder this season. The left-handed hitting Yoshida was additionally largely used solely in opposition to right-handed pitching, additional limiting his enjoying time.
Extra shall be identified about Yoshida’s shoulder as soon as the MRI is full, but when surgical procedure is important, that additional complicates his standing heading into 2025. With three years and $54MM remaining on his contract, Yoshida is a tricky participant to maneuver in any commerce talks, and his commerce worth will dip additional if any well being uncertainty is connected. Some room in Boston’s outfield might open up if Tyler O’Neill departs in free company, however two star Purple Sox outfield prospects (Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell) are anticipated to be a part of the large league roster sooner or later in 2025, additional crowding the image.
There’s additionally an opportunity O’Neill is re-signed, as he informed WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford and different reporters that he spoke with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow right this moment, and the 2 each expressed “mutual curiosity” in a reunion. Breslow additionally spoke publicly earlier this week in regards to the membership’s keenness in presumably bringing the Canadian slugger again for 2025 and past.
Accidents have continued to plague O’Neill, as he was restricted to 113 video games and 473 PA this season on account of three comparatively transient stints on the 10-day IL. The excellent news is that when O’Neill was capable of play, he delivered to the tune of 31 homers and a .241/.336/.511 slash line, and a 131 wRC+. O’Neill had an elite barrel charge and glorious stroll and hard-hit ball charges, even when he additionally posted one of many baseball’s worst strikeout charges (33.6%). The fitting-handed hitting O’Neill additionally had some drastic splits, as he had solely a .693 OPS in 317 PA in opposition to righty pitching however a whopping 1.180 OPS in 156 PA in opposition to southpaws.
The splits are maybe much less of a difficulty for the Purple Sox than different groups, as having a strong right-handed bat is especially useful on a Sox roster that’s overloaded with lefty swingers. That mentioned, Boston’s future outfield prospects maybe cloud the probabilities of O’Neill’s return, and his damage historical past does add an additional aspect of danger for the Sox or any workforce that indicators him to a multi-year contract. It’s not out of the query that O’Neill might settle for a one-year qualifying provide to take a $21MM-ish payday and keep in Boston in 2025, however there appears to be a better likelihood that O’Neill would reject a QO and search a heftier contract on the heels of his robust season.
Lastly, right this moment’s sport marked the ultimate broadcast for longtime radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione, who’s retiring from common saying responsibility after 42 years of calling Purple Sox video games. He was acknowledged by the Corridor of Fame as this yr’s winner of the Ford Frick Award, and a number of other Sox legends took half in a pregame ceremony right this moment honoring Castiglione’s tenure because the voice of Purple Sox Nation. We at MLB Commerce Rumors congratulate Castiglione on his unbelievable profession.
