Red Sox Offense Still Searching for Consistency — Yoshida’s Return Could Help, But at What Cost?
The Boston Red Sox offense has been a roller coaster this season. On paper, averaging 4.92 runs per game puts them sixth in MLB, but that stat masks a sharp divide. In 14 of their 91 games entering Monday, the Sox have erupted for double-digit runs, tallying 164 runs in those blowouts alone. In the remaining 77 games — the vast majority — they’ve managed just 3.69 runs per game. Put another way: 85% of the time, Boston’s offense ranks 25th in MLB. In the other 15%, they look like the best team in baseball.
On Monday, manager Alex Cora announced a move that could help level out that inconsistency: the return of Masataka Yoshida.
Strikeouts have plagued the Red Sox, who average 9.2 per game — third-worst in the majors behind only the Dodgers (9.8) and Rockies (9.7). But Yoshida, who posted the eighth-lowest strikeout rate (12.4%) among players with at least 400 plate appearances last season, could offer some relief.
Yoshida, 31, has yet to play this season due to offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The third-year outfielder, signed to a five-year, $90 million deal in 2022 after starring in Japan’s Pacific League, did appear in 11 spring training games, collecting 10 hits in 35 at-bats. Cora confirmed Monday that Yoshida is set to be activated this week — likely on Wednesday.
His return adds another capable bat to the lineup, but it also creates a roster crunch in the outfield. The Red Sox now have six outfielders vying for just four spots — the three outfield positions plus designated hitter.
Along with Yoshida, the group includes:
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Jarren Duran, a fan favorite and last year’s All-Star Game MVP, who’s underperformed this season (.728 OPS compared to .834 in 2023).
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Wilyer Abreu, the 2024 Gold Glove winner in right field.
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Ceddanne Rafaela, a defensive standout tied for the MLB lead in outfield defensive runs saved (13).
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Roman Anthony, the club’s top prospect and currently rated No. 1 in all of baseball.
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Rob Refsnyder, a lefty-mashing platoon option whose .948 OPS vs. lefties ranks 14th in MLB, ahead of stars like Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Something has to give — and all signs point to Duran. At 28, he’s older than any Boston outfielder except the 34-year-old Refsnyder, and he’s on a one-year, $3.75 million deal with a team option for $8 million in 2026. According to a report from The Athletic, one AL executive named Duran as the “most likely” Red Sox outfielder to be on the move. On Monday, he was benched in favor of Refsnyder against the Rockies.
No official announcement has been made about Duran’s future, but with Yoshida’s activation imminent, the Red Sox are quickly approaching a tough decision.
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