The Boston Red Sox are in a great spot with a strong 71-60 record and are currently sitting in second place in the AL East. The club just won a commanding 3-1 series against their rivals, the New York Yankees.

Going 7-for-16 in the recent series, the team’s third baseman was a huge part of the Red Sox’s success this season. He slashed .305/.391/.531 with sixteen home runs and fifty-three RBIs in just 85 games. And despite missing a large time due to right quad strain, he’s on pace for an fWAR of at least 4.0, as in the previous three seasons.

The problem for the Red Sox is that Bregman can become a free agent after this season, and they have not started talks on an extension yet.

An article from Bosoxinjection wrote, “with the most recent predictions being that Bregman could end up with a six year, $200 million dea,l” the Red Sox will have “to come up with some cash to keep him around AND address other holes on their roster.” A tough choice is coming.

The article noted that the owners of $4.8 Billion team can easily afford to keep their player, but “this is the Red Sox we are talking about and everything from the last several years suggests they won’t spend more than they want unless they absolutely have to.” So, the most likely path is clearing salary.

And that’s where designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, who is currently on a 5 year, $90M contract, comes into the picture.

The article argues that: “Trading Yoshida away to a team that would actually appreciate and use his talents would free up $18.6 million a year through 2027.” And it went on saying that money “could be the difference between being able to sign Bregman and not.”

But why is a player with $90 million contract now seen as the key to the team’s future finances?

A man without a position

Boston signed Masataka Yoshida to a five-year, $90 million deal, even surpassing $85 Seiya Suzuki’s contract in December 2022. His rookie season was solid, with a .783 OPS. And his first two seasons were decent enough, batting .289 and .280, respectively. But due to shoulder labrum surgery, he was on the IL and returned to the team in July. He posted just .229 with an OPS around .630 in this limited time, and basically a DH for the team.

But it isn’t the only reason. The Red Sox have Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and rookie phenom Roman Anthony in the outfield right now. And they are all playing exceptionally well in their positions.

Abreu has hit 22 home runs with 2.7 WAR. Duran is having a 12-21(HR-SB) season with 3.1WAR just after Bregman. And Rafaela posted 16 DRS, so there’s no point in keeping him out of the defense. And in the end, Anthony’s name came in comparison with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani after having a .401 OBP this season.

So, there is simply no room for Yoshida on the current team.

Boston has other expensive players who are underperforming, too. Pitcher Patrick Sandoval didn’t pitch a single inning this season. And reliever Jordan Hicks and his 6.40 ERA are another issue Boston is having right now. But still, trading Yoshida can provide them financial relief to keep their beloved third baseman.