As Opening Day approaches, the Houston Astros find themselves with a couple of roster puzzles to solve. They need to clear up their infield congestion and add a left-handed hitting outfielder. While these issues could be tackled separately, there’s potential for a single move to address both.

On the hunt for a lefty bat, the Astros have explored a few options, but so far, attempts like Joey Loperfido haven’t panned out.

Enter ESPN’s Buster Olney with an intriguing idea. He suggests the Astros look to the Boston Red Sox, a team with its own outfield surplus, particularly of left-handed hitters.

Given Boston’s depth and the gap left by Alex Bregman at third base, the two teams seem like natural trade partners. While names like Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu have been floated, Olney proposes a different target: Masataka Yoshida.

Yoshida, a standout from Team Japan, could be just what the Astros need. Although primarily a designated hitter in Boston, he’s facing stiff competition for playing time with Duran, Abreu, Roman Anthony, and Ceddanne Rafaela ahead of him.

Financially, Yoshida is set to earn $18.6 million in both 2026 and 2027. Despite a challenging 2025 season where he hit .266/.307/.388, his impressive World Baseball Classic performance has reignited interest. His slash line of .500/.583/1.200 with two homers in the tournament shows why he was given a five-year, $90 million contract.

Astros’ GM Dana Brown has expressed frustration with the team’s lack of plate discipline, leading to changes in the coaching staff. Yoshida’s approach at the plate could be the remedy. In 2024, he boasted a 72nd percentile chase rate, a 95th percentile whiff rate, and a 97th percentile strikeout rate, indicating his prowess in making contact.

At 32, Yoshida is a left-handed hitter who consistently puts the ball in play and can occasionally show some power. If he returns to hitting 10-15% above league average, he could be a significant asset.

While defense might be a concern, the Astros’ relatively small left field could help mitigate this issue. Given his potential impact and the possibility of Boston contributing financially to a deal, acquiring Yoshida seems like a smart move.

With limited options available, the Astros may find that Yoshida, while not a perfect fit, is the best solution to their current needs.