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The Boston Red Sox announced today that they have signed Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to a five-year contract. The deal is worth an estimated $25 million and includes a club option for a sixth year.
Yoshida, 28, has spent his entire professional career playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. He is known for his speed and defensive skills, and has a career batting average of .281 in the NPB.
In the past, Yoshida has been a member of the Japanese national team and has represented his country in international competitions. His most notable accomplishment was winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
The Red Sox were reportedly impressed with Yoshida's abilities and believe he can be a valuable addition to their team. Two former Major League Baseball (MLB) players who have seen Yoshida play in Japan, Scott Mathieson and Tony Barnette, spoke highly of him to the New York Post.
Rick Mathieson said about him, "He's a really good outfielder with a really good arm. He has the potential to become a really good hitter in the majors."
Barnette added, "He's a very good defender and can hit for average. He's a great addition to the Red Sox."
The Red Sox have not yet announced where Yoshida will fit into their lineup, but he is expected to compete for a starting spot in the outfield. The team is hoping he can help improve their defense and add some speed to their lineup.
Yoshida is the first Japanese player to sign with the Red Sox since pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007. He is set to join the team for spring training in February.
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