REPORT: Alex Cora Makes Bold Claim Regarding Overlooked Red Sox Bat
The Boston Red Sox remain confident in Masataka Yoshida despite his inconsistent performance over two seasons, often disrupted by injuries. Manager Alex Cora acknowledged the impact of Yoshida’s health issues on the team’s 2024 lineup but is optimistic about a rebound in 2025.
Cora hopes for improvement in Yoshida’s defense, which has been a point of criticism. “Our outfield defense was great last year, but in a perfect world, if he was healthy, he was going to play the outfield,” Cora said. “The throwing part of it wasn’t there, so that’s the reason he actually didn’t play. Hopefully, we can get him there and use him in the outfield, too.”
With Tyler O’Neill no longer in the mix, the Red Sox plan to shift Yoshida back to his natural outfield position, where he could provide valuable flexibility. Players like Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Rob Refsnyder carried the load in the outfield last season, but Yoshida’s return could balance the roster.
Although his defense is still a concern, achieving league-average performance in the outfield would be a significant step forward. Cora emphasized the importance of Yoshida’s bat, calling him one of the best left-handed hitters in the league when healthy. “When you take a look at the numbers, whenever he wasn’t feeling great, there were a lot of ground balls and quick outs,” Cora noted. “We still believe in the hitter. If he’s healthy, he can help us.”
The Red Sox’s crowded left-handed lineup for 2025 places a premium on versatility, especially with top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell nearing the majors and potential additions like Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado on the radar. Yoshida, who underwent offseason surgery and is expected to resume light swings by February, must prove he can contribute as more than just a designated hitter to secure regular at-bats in a lineup featuring Rafael Devers and Triston Casas.
Cora is eager to see Yoshida regain his form and provide consistent value, both at the plate and in the field. However, for Yoshida to become a regular part of the roster, significant strides in health and defensive performance will be necessary.