The Boston Red Sox still have plenty of roster tweaks to make before Spring Training kicks off, but time is running out. Pitchers and catchers are set to report by February 10, leaving less than two weeks to finalize the team.
A quick glance at the current lineup shows strengths in the rotation, a solid bullpen, and most field positions locked in—some even with extra depth. The clearest need remains adding a second or third baseman.
However, the outfield and designated hitter situation is raising eyebrows. In a recent roster projection for the 2026 season by MassLive.com’s Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo, one name notably absent is Masataka Yoshida.
Cotillo’s forecast suggests the Red Sox could part ways with the veteran outfielder, a move that aligns with comments from Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, who has hinted at tough decisions to optimize the roster.
Cotillo’s projected outfield/DH group includes: LF Roman Anthony, CF Ceddanne Rafaela, RF Wilyer Abreu, OF/DH Jarren Duran, and INF/OF Nate Eaton. This setup implies no trade of a starting outfielder to address infield gaps, but it does mean moving on from Yoshida—possibly through a salary-dump deal that includes attaching a prospect to sweeten the pot. Meanwhile, prospect Kristian Campbell would start the year in Triple-A.
Red Sox leadership, including Breslow, has repeatedly downplayed the likelihood of trading an outfielder before Opening Day. But with the current mix of Anthony, Rafaela, Abreu, and Duran offering high upside on offense and defense, the team might finally be taking those words to heart.
The envisioned rotation could see Anthony and Duran splitting time between left field and DH, with Rafaela and Abreu as near-everyday starters. Rafaela’s versatility allows him to shift to second base occasionally, opening center field for Duran or Anthony. Eaton steps into a utility role similar to Rob Refsnyder’s, but with fewer at-bats to prioritize Abreu’s development against left-handed pitching.
This configuration leaves Yoshida as the odd one out—and an pricey one. Breslow, in recent discussions about roster construction, emphasized the need to “cut losses” on players who don’t fit the evolving team dynamic.
Yoshida, signed to a five-year, $90 million contract, has two seasons remaining at over $18 million each. At 32, he’s proven he can hit around .300 with double-digit homers and low strikeouts when healthy. But his lack of defensive value clashes with Boston’s crowded outfield, making consistent playing time at DH or in the field unlikely.
Breslow’s stance signals a proactive approach: exploring trades where another team absorbs much of Yoshida’s salary in exchange for a prospect. It’s a pragmatic way to clear the logjam, free up funds, and focus on the young core’s potential. As Spring Training looms, this bombshell could reshape the Red Sox’s path to contention in 2026.
