Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida Contract Among MLB’s Worst

The Boston Red Sox’s five-year, $90 million contract with outfielder Masataka Yoshida is currently considered one of the worst in Major League Baseball, according to recent analysis.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report identified the deal as the Red Sox’s most problematic contract entering the 2026 season. Yoshida signed the contract after transitioning to MLB from Japan, but has not performed at a level commensurate with his salary.

Through his first three MLB seasons, Yoshida has a total WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of just 1.5, per FanGraphs. Defensive struggles have also been a concern, with minus-four defensive runs saved and minus-eight outs above average in left field during his rookie season. The Red Sox have primarily utilized him as a designated hitter, with only 45 innings played in the outfield over the past two seasons.

Despite showing positive results in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Japan, Kelly asserts that Yoshida has been a “bust” in his MLB career thus far.

With two years and $37.2 million remaining on his contract through the 2027 season, a change of scenery is considered a possibility for Yoshida, particularly given the Red Sox’s surplus of outfielders. The team is expected to primarily use Jarren Duran as their designated hitter.

Injuries have also limited Yoshida’s playing time, with just 55 games played last season, where he slashed .266/.307/.388 with four home runs and 26 RBIs.