When the Red Sox signed Yoshida to a 5-year, $90 million contract, I doubt this is the situation we signed up for. There are reasons—both in his play and in his fit—that suggest we should move him for a player who better fits our positional needs.
He is a streaky hitter: This organization at least expected a hitter who would bat around .300 with 10+ HR, and he has yet to do so, hovering around a .280 average with limited power. When he’s going at the plate, he’ll put things together for a little while—but when he’s struggling, it’s a whole lot of ground balls.
He is a liability in the field: When Yoshida isn’t producing at the plate, you start to notice his defensive woes even more. He’s just nowhere close to the defensive efficiency of the youthful surplus of outfielders we have.
The team needs fewer outfielders and more infield help to support Devers: With Roman Anthony projected to join an outfield already featuring Duran, Rafaela, Abreu, and Refsnyder, the older outfielder needs to go. Given Devers’ positional situation and the opportunity to give him rest through DH or a platoon with an acquired infielder, trading Yoshida would allow the outfielders to compete for a spot and better support your superstar.
All of this would probably be on the back burner if Yoshida were producing more—but he simply hasn’t so far. Moving him would help his case and the team’s, especially considering the impending infusion of young talent.
Flavin Media 
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