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Alex Cora Puts Recent Red Sox Addition on Notice for Next Season

By Isaiah De Los Santos

May 11, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) reacts in the dugout after being ejected from the game by home plate umpire Adam Beck (102) (not shown) during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) reacts in the dugout after being ejected from the game by home plate umpire Adam Beck (102) (not shown) during the game against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Boston Red Sox’s disappointing season winds down, the focus is already on the future. With the front office shakeup already underway, the roster will be under a microscope in the coming weeks as the organization determines what changes need to be made to turn things around.

In fact, Alex Cora has already put one recent Red Sox on notice ahead of next season.

Cora wants Masataka Yoshida to be better physically prepared for 2024, according to The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham. This message comes on the heels of Yoshida’s second-half slump after a promising start to 2023.

It’s not a total surprise Yoshida has had a tough end to the season considering this is first MLB campaign. He’s still getting accustomed to a new league after playing seven years professionally in Japan’s NPB, and it’s clear the new level of play has had an affect on him. He’s dealt with hamstring, leg and forearm issues already in 2023.

Fatigue has also resulted in some off days for Yoshida down the stretch as his play’s slipped. Since the All-Star break, the 30-year-old is slashing only .241/.269/.377 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI. That’s a far cry from the .316/.382/.492, 10 home runs and 44 RBI he put up during the first half of the season.

Thankfully, this isn’t anything an offseason workout program can’t fix. Plus, this year of experience will be massive in helping Yoshida know what he needs to be prepared for an entire MLB season. The Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki has made clear strides from his first to his second year, and that provides a nice blueprint for Yoshida to follow into a big 2024.

You can make sure you finish this MLB season strong by jumping on BetMGM’s latest new-user sign-up promo. They’re offering $200 in bonus bets for placing a first wager of just $10. It’s also guaranteed, so even if Boston continues to falter, you’ll receive the credits win or lose! Make sure to act fast before this offer’s gone!

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