Red Sox reportedly sign Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to five-year deal
BOSTON -- The Red Sox lost out on Xander Bogaerts. But Boston made a big splash before coming up empty with their shortstop, reportedly signing Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to a five-year contract.
Yoshida's deal is reportedly worth $90 million over those five years, with the Red Sox also sending a posting fee in the $15 million range to the Orix Buffaloes. ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to break the news of the signing.
The 29-year-old lefty slashed 335/.447/.551 with 21 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 56 runs scored for the Buffaloes last season, helping lead Orix to a Japan Series championship. Yoshida also walked 80 times in 119 games while only striking out 41 times in his 508 plate appearances.
Striking out is rare for Yoshida, as he's only fanned 97 times over 1,467 plate appearances over the last three years. The 5-foot-8, 176-pound outfielder is an on-base machine, leading Nippon Professional Baseball in OPS the last two years. He's slashed .327/.421/.539 over his seven-year career.
Yoshida hit a career-high 29 homers in 2019, though he is not known for his power. He's known more for his bat-to-ball skills, and has reached base in more than 40 percent of his plate appearances in each of the past six seasons.
Losing out on Bogaerts stings and will not sit well with fans. But at least adding some much-needed help to the outfield in Yoshida will help ease the blow.
