Opening Day on March 27th will mark the beginning of the highly anticipated Red Sox season, as the team looks to play October baseball for the first time since 2021.
Offseason signings Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman have rejuvenated the Red Sox fanbase and the rise of young prospects Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony has been the story to watch throughout Spring Training.
Given the amount of potential the Red Sox farm system could produce, the performances of current Red Sox will be monitored more closely as the season goes on. Whether it's injury concerns or disappointing performances, these four Red Sox could be playing their final season with the team in 2025.
1. Masataka Yoshida, DH/LF
The 31-year-old Yoshida signed a five-year, $90 million dollar contract with the Red Sox back in 2023 after impressing with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japan Western League over six seasons.
Yoshida saw the most success during his first season with Boston, belting 15 home runs and 72 RBIs while slashing .289/.338/.445 over 140 games.
The 2024 season saw less success and fewer games played for Yoshida, as he battled a shoulder and thumb injury en route to only 110 games played between Triple-A Worcester and the Red Sox.
Serving as the Red Sox's primary DH in 2024, Yoshida now sees his spot in the lineup in jeopardy as Rafael Devers will move to the position for 2025 following the signing of Alex Bregman.
Not to mention, Yoshida was a below-average defender when he was placed in left field over the past two seasons, as that position is now occupied by Jarren Duran.
To make matters worse, Yoshida will start the season in Triple-A as he rehabs from right labrum surgery. The Red Sox outfield room is crowded as is, and it becomes more and more unclear about what Yoshida's future will look like in 2025 and moving forward.
Alex Cora announces that Masataka Yoshida will start the season in Worcester as he continues to work on his throwing program, will rejoin the team when he’s ready to play the OF.
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) March 22, 2025
Via: @IanMBrowne pic.twitter.com/LKAnLXyjTj
"Masa" provides more value in his bat than his glove, but his offensive numbers haven't lived up to the hefty contract. Yoshida is set to make $18.6 million this season, the sixth-highest-paid player on the Red Sox.
All signs point to this being the last season for Yoshida in Boston. If kept around, he will have to battle it out with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Rob Refsnyder for an outfield spot.
The contract, current injury and crowded outfield are three signs that Yoshida won't be kept in Boston past this season. If a team wants to take on his contract at age-31, the Red Sox would be wise to send him off before the trade deadline to acquire bullpen help.
With three years and $55 million left on his contract, the signing looks worse and worse for the Red Sox by the day. Yoshida won't be a free agent until he turns 34 in 2028.