Red Sox Sign Masataka Yoshida

[moonslav59]

Except Ichiro was good defensively when he came over, a speed demon and literally an MVP. Yoshida isn’t even remotely close to Ichiro. Ichiro was one of best hitters the game has ever seen

 

No doubt, but their batting styles seem similar, to me.

[Jasonbay44]

No doubt, but their batting styles seem similar, to me.

 

I think a lot of Japanese players have similar swings/play styles, so maybe it’s that. A big difference between Ichiro and Yoshida is that Ichiro had elite speed. Ichiro could chop the ball all over the infield and run it out and was a game changer on the base paths. Yoshida just doesn’t have that gear/ability. So while Yoshida has Ichiro like approach at times, with all the choppers and the way he sprays the ball, he just doesn’t have the same ability.

[moonslav59]

I think a lot of Japanese players have similar swings/play styles, so maybe it’s that. A big difference between Ichiro and Yoshida is that Ichiro had elite speed. Ichiro could chop the ball all over the infield and run it out and was a game changer on the base paths. Yoshida just doesn’t have that gear/ability. So while Yoshida has Ichiro like approach at times, with all the choppers and the way he sprays the ball, he just doesn’t have the same ability.

 

In no way was I trying to say Yoshida is even close to the complete player Ichiro was.

 

I was only responding to the point about his batting and swing style not being sustainable. I offered a case where it was.

 

I have no idea if Yoshida can sustain his hitting for the whole contract, but I'm not going to hold his swing style against him.

[a700hitter]

If we are going to compare Yoshida to another Japanese play, I think he is more like Hideki Matsui.

[Jasonbay44]

In no way was I trying to say Yoshida is even close to the complete player Ichiro was.

 

I was only responding to the point about his batting and swing style not being sustainable. I offered a case where it was.

 

I have no idea if Yoshida can sustain his hitting for the whole contract, but I'm not going to hold his swing style against him.

 

My biggest worry about Yoshida is honestly defense. He’s already proven to he pretty bad. I think his swing/hitting style is sustainable. He’s definitely a professional hitter and has a good eye.

[Jasonbay44]

If we are going to compare Yoshida to another Japanese play, I think he is more like Hideki Matsui.

 

I could definitely see that. Both struggled in the field but were very good at making contact and had good eyes.

[a700hitter]

I could definitely see that. Both struggled in the field but were very good at making contact and had good eyes.

And Matsui wasn’t very fast either.

[vegasbob]

In no way was I trying to say Yoshida is even close to the complete player Ichiro was.

 

I was only responding to the point about his batting and swing style not being sustainable. I offered a case where it was.

 

I have no idea if Yoshida can sustain his hitting for the whole contract, but I'm not going to hold his swing style against him.

 

If you want to predict an unsustainable swing type over the life of a contract , try the guy playing 3B right now. Devers cannot swing out of his shoes for the next several years . He will become a highly compensated DH within 5 years. At some point the Sox will attempt to trade him , maybe 2029/30.

 

Oh, this was about Yoshida . He will be challenging Raffy for the DH slot in a few years.

[moonslav59]

If we are going to compare Yoshida to another Japanese play, I think he is more like Hideki Matsui.

 

Perhaps, but I was talking only about his swing.

[moonslav59]

My biggest worry about Yoshida is honestly defense. He’s already proven to he pretty bad. I think his swing/hitting style is sustainable. He’s definitely a professional hitter and has a good eye.

 

Many pointed out he'd be an expensive DH, and that may be correct, but I'm glad we have Yoshida locked up for years.

[moonslav59]

If you want to predict an unsustainable swing type over the life of a contract , try the guy playing 3B right now. Devers cannot swing out of his shoes for the next several years . He will become a highly compensated DH within 5 years. At some point the Sox will attempt to trade him , maybe 2029/30.

 

Oh, this was about Yoshida . He will be challenging Raffy for the DH slot in a few years.

 

I've always felt the closest swing comp to Devers is the great Vlad, although Vlad is/was better. My only point is that their plate approach seems very similar, to me.

 

Vlad aged well:

 

1.003 Ages 27-29

.947 Ages 30-32

.845 Ages 33-35

 

.935 for 9 years starting at age 27.

 

Maybe I'm being more hopeful than pragmatic. I expected Devers to improve, this year, as his current age is peak prime, so maybe I'll be wrong.

[a700hitter]

Perhaps, but I was talking only about his swing.

I don’t see a big similarity with that.

[notin]

If we are going to compare Yoshida to another Japanese play, I think he is more like Hideki Matsui.

 

So Yoshida might challenge Matsui for the honor of being the third best Japanese hitter in MLB history…

[moonslav59]

I don’t see a big similarity with that.

 

Maybe not "big," but I do.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

So Yoshida might challenge Matsui for the honor of being the third best Japanese hitter in MLB history…

 

Godzilla is public enemy #1 in Boston -- as far as Pedro-killing...

 

... but what do these Red Sox have that Ichiro and Ohtani do not: Matsuzaka, Okajima, Uehara, Tazawa? (hint: rhymes with bling)

[mvp 78]

My biggest worry about Yoshida is honestly defense. He’s already proven to he pretty bad. I think his swing/hitting style is sustainable. He’s definitely a professional hitter and has a good eye.

 

Once Turner is gone, Masa is the everyday DH IMO.

[Old Red]

Once Turner is gone, Masa is the everyday DH IMO.

 

Turner needs to stick around for another year, or two.

[mvp 78]

Turner needs to stick around for another year, or two.

 

I think he takes the buyout this offseason. I don't know if Bloom brings him back at more money, but I'm not sure it makes financial sense to have 2 DH's on this team. I'd rather they spend the money on starting pitching.

 

The only way this works is if they are going to go with:

 

DH Turner

LF Masa

CF Duran

RF Rafaela

 

I'd rather Rafaela in between two bad to mediocre defenders instead of all the way in RF (yes, I know how important RF is in Fenway).

[Hugh2]

Turner needs to stick around for another year, or two.

 

You mean 1.5 years. I'm not sure how I'd feel about giving him a contract at 40 years old. Would love for someone else to slid over to LF and let Yoshida DH after next year.

[Old Red]

I think he takes the buyout this offseason. I don't know if Bloom brings him back at more money, but I'm not sure it makes financial sense to have 2 DH's on this team. I'd rather they spend the money on starting pitching.

 

The only way this works is if they are going to go with:

 

DH Turner

LF Masa

CF Duran

RF Rafaela

 

I'd rather Rafaela in between two bad to mediocre defenders instead of all the way in RF (yes, I know how important RF is in Fenway).

 

No it doesn’t make sense to have 2 DH’s on the team, but Bloom hasn’t spent much money on SP yet, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he comes back with pretty much the same starting staff with Whit, and Houck included next year.

[mvp 78]

No it doesn’t make sense to have 2 DH’s on the team, but Bloom hasn’t spent much money on SP yet, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he comes back with pretty much the same starting staff with Whit, and Houck included next year.

 

I wouldn't expect the playoffs then...

[Old Red]

I wouldn't expect the playoffs then...

 

I agree, but Moons been calling for GOOD starting pitching for 2 years, but Bloom doesn’t seem to listen.

[Hugh2]

If Turner opts out, they could trade Verdugo for some pitching (an upgrade over Kluber) go out on the market pick up and Ace and sign Teoscar Hernandez for year, start Ceddanne. Sliding Yoshida to DH.

 

Duran LF

Story SS/2B

Devers 3B

Yoshida DH

Teoscar Hernandez RF

Tristan Casas 1B

Luis Urias/FA 2B

Ceddane Rafaela CF

Connor Wong C

 

Sign Yama to be your Ace and move 2 of Whitlock/Houck/Crawford to the pen for the season.

[mvp 78]

I agree, but Moons been calling for GOOD starting pitching for 2 years, but Bloom doesn’t seem to listen.

 

Does moon work for the FO? Why would the FO listen to some random poster screaming on the internet?

[moonslav59]

I agree, but Moons been calling for GOOD starting pitching for 2 years, but Bloom doesn’t seem to listen.

 

I've been calling for more pitching for 50 years.

[moonslav59]

Does moon work for the FO? Why would the FO listen to some random poster screaming on the internet?

 

He visits my corner, frequently.

 

[mvp 78]

If Turner opts out, they could trade Verdugo for some pitching (an upgrade over Kluber) go out on the market pick up and Ace and sign Teoscar Hernandez for year, start Ceddanne. Sliding Yoshida to DH.

 

Duran LF

Story SS/2B

Devers 3B

Yoshida DH

Teoscar Hernandez RF

Tristan Casas 1B

Luis Urias/FA 2B

Ceddane Rafaela CF

Connor Wong C

 

Sign Yama to be your Ace and move 2 of Whitlock/Houck/Crawford to the pen for the season.

 

Teoscar isn't a good fit for the Red Sox. He generally isn't a good RFer and k's at 30%. I'd rather just bring up Abreu and get 1 fWAR that way than spend $14M.

[Old Red]

Does moon work for the FO? Why would the FO listen to some random poster screaming on the internet?

 

Wouldn’t you think Bloom would see it for himself?

[Old Red]

He visits my corner, frequently.

 

 

Going to Gray on Friday.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Teoscar isn't a good fit for the Red Sox. He generally isn't a good RFer and k's at 30%. I'd rather just bring up Abreu and get 1 fWAR that way than spend $14M.

 

Watching clips of yesterday's three Abreu HRs: swing has definite lift, all were total bombs... but every flag on the high poles beyond the bleachers was blowing straight out. WOO!