Red Sox Sign Masataka Yoshida

[Jasonbay44]

BREAKING: Outfielder Masataka Yoshida and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

Per Jeff Passan

https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/statu...NvvoIm5_1zadJA

[Jasonbay44]

Passan: Masataka Yoshida's deal with the Boston Red Sox will be for five years and more than $85 million, sources tell ESPN. The posting fee for the Orix Buffaloes will be in the $15 million range, bringing the total outlay for Yoshida to around $100 million.

[moonslav59]

Big move!

Fingers are crossed!

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

I wasn’t surprised to see big moves this week, actually I called it, but I didn’t see this one coming. But….it kind of makes good sense for them.

They really needed outfielders, and this guy looks like he could lead off too.

[Jasonbay44]

Passan: Yoshida, 29, is an on-base machine who led Nippon Professional Baseball in OPS the last two seasons. His bat-to-ball skills are absolutely world-class: just 41 strikeouts in 508 plate appearances, with 80 walks. Only Luis Arraez had a lower strikeout rate in MLB last season.

[a700hitter]

Does he have any power?

[Oscars]

Nice move Bloom

[Old Red]

Passan: Yoshida, 29, is an on-base machine who led Nippon Professional Baseball in OPS the last two seasons. His bat-to-ball skills are absolutely world-class: just 41 strikeouts in 508 plate appearances, with 80 walks. Only Luis Arraez had a lower strikeout rate in MLB last season.

Always iffy when signing someone from the orient. Suzuki had plenty of hype too, and didn’t set the league afire last year.

[mvp 78]

Does he have any power?

Similar to Seiya Suzuki. About 20 HR a year. Walks a ton, doesn’t strike out.

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

Does he have any power?

Yes, but not a lot, maybe he’s a 15-20 hr guy. But if his skills transition over well he will be a walk machine that doesn’t strike out much.

[mvp 78]

Always iffy when signing someone from the orient. Suzuki had plenty of hype too, and didn’t set the league afire last year.

Suzuki was good last year.

[Old Red]

Suzuki was good last year.

Did not match the hype, and had some injuries, so I guess it depends on what good is.

[5GoldGloves:OF,75]

I love this move. Yes, it was in Japan, but Yoshida put up a .400+ on base % and .500+ slugging% the last six straight years.

I'll take a .900 OPS guy who doesn't strike out at the top of my order any time.

Fundamentals -- we miss you.

[moonslav59]

I wasn’t surprised to see big moves this week, actually I called it, but I didn’t see this one coming. But….it kind of makes good sense for them.

They really needed outfielders, and this guy looks like he could lead off too.

The Jansen signing was not talked about, either.

Bloom going stealth.

[A Red Sox fan named Hugh]

The Jansen signing was not talked about, either.

Bloom going stealth.

Love him or hate him one thing Bloom has done is run a tight ship.