The Boston Red Sox season concluded at the hands of the New York Yankees just under two weeks ago. In the words of manager Alex Cora, the organization took a step forward this season, even though their playoff stay lasted just three games.
Although most of the Red Sox were disappointing during the three-game wild card series in the Bronx, a veteran lefty bat came alive towards the end of his injury-filled season, giving fans something to look back on in a positive light.
Masataka Yoshida Was Lone Positive During Red Sox Posteason Run
Both in pinch-hit and starting scenarios, Masataka Yoshida delivered in his first MLB postseason series. The 32-year-old went 4-of-7 (.571) with two RBIs when it mattered most, but the rest of the Boston lineup couldn't replicate similar success.
Even when the Red Sox season ended in a shutout loss to Cam Schlittler and the Yankees, Yoshida provided two of Boston's five hits in the decisive Game 3. That performance is giving Boston fans hope that he can pick up from where he left off once the 2026 MLB season begins.
Yoshida signed a five-year, $90 million dollar deal with the Red Sox back in 2023, and hasn't quite stayed healthy enough to warrant the $18.5 million annually he's been getting. A lingering shoulder injury led to Yoshida playing only 105 games in 2024, and 55 this past season.
After undergoing shoulder surgery in October of 2024, Yoshida didn't make his 2025 debut until July. He struggled out of the gate, slashing just .239/.255/.370 in July and .214/.296/.300 in August. It appeared Yoshida had hit rock bottom in his Red Sox tenure. But when September rolled around, injuries to both Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu opened up more opportunity for the veteran in the heart of the Sox order.
Over the course of September, Yoshida was quietly one of the Red Sox best hitters. Slashing .333/.351/.486 with two homers and 13 RBIs in September, the former NBP All-Star should head into the next season healthy, and with confidence.
Yoshida has two more years on his contract with the Red Sox and will hit free agency at age 34 in 2027. Boston has a busy offseason ahead that includes questions about what to do about the logjam in the outfield. With Yoshida's age and lackluster fielding ability, it serves him best to be a primary designated hitter moving forward.
There weren't many positives to take out of the Wild Card series if you're a Red Sox fan, and even two weeks removed from their eliminating loss, it's still disappointing. That said, Yoshida finally stepped up after three underwhelming years in Boston, and could be a solid bat in the middle of the order next season after he finished 2025 on a high note.