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Report: Masataka Yoshida signs with Red Sox in free agency

The Japanese outfielder will be taking his talents to Boston.

By Teddy Ricketson Updated
Outfielder Masataka Yoshida #34 of Team Japan lines out into the double play in the first inning against of Team United State during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

Japanese outfielder Masatake Yoshida has signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Yoshida was posted early on Wednesday morning and took little time finding a home. This is also the record for money for a Japanese player coming to the United States.

Yoshida comes to the U.S. from the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball, which is the top Japanese baseball league. Yoshida was approved to be posted by his organization in Japan and had a 30-day window to sign with a team. On top of the salary, the Red Sox will also be paying the posting fee of $15.4 million directly to the Buffaloes.

Yoshida will join an outfield that currently consists of Tommy Pham, Enrique Hernandez and Alex Verdugo, with J.D. Martinez manning the DH spot. Boston has yet to re-sign shortstop Xander Bogaerts, so Hernandez could move to the infield allowing Yoshida to slot right into an everyday outfield spot. At the very least, Yoshida will likely earn an outfield spot once he adjusts to the game during spring training.

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