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Masataka Yoshida Unlikely to Return in 2027
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida does not fit the team's current roster and "looks like a goner" for next season after another subpar season in 2026, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Yoshida is due $18 million next season. If the Red Sox cannot find a taker via a trade, they could cut him outright after he hit .274/.347/.399 with a .746 OPS, only five home runs, 28 RBI, 34 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 87 games and 297 plate appearances in his fourth year in the majors. The 33-year-old Japanese native battled injuries and has essentially become a designated hitter only, limiting the options he gives Boston in terms of lineup construction. The Red Sox would prefer to get something back for Yoshida, but if they cannot find any takers this offseason, he could be a cut candidate and find himself on the open market. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact and has a .280 batting average in his four MLB seasons, but his lack of power and defensive versatility make him a player to ignore in most fantasy baseball leagues going into the 2027 season.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Willson Contreras Back in Lineup for Sunday's Season Finale
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the starting lineup for the regular-season finale on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Shota Imanaga, serving as the designated hitter and batting third for the BoSox, per MLB.com. It will be Contreras' first game played since being hit by a pitch on his hand last Thursday against the Texas Rangers, and he even expressed uncertainty recently about being ready for the Wild-Card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has had an excellent first year in Beantown, slashing .276/.387/.518 with a .905 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 446 at-bats. However, he has played in only four games in September due to injury, and he could struggle at the plate as a result in the postseason if he is active. In 23 games in August, Contreras also struggled offensively, going 18-for-83 (.217) with three homers, 12 RBI, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts across 98 plate appearances. He is hitless in eight career at-bats against Imanaga.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chad Tracy Becomes Full-Time Manager, Lands Three-Year Contract
The Boston Red Sox named Chad Tracy as their full-time manager on Tuesday by signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for the 2030 season, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The Red Sox also announced that they exercised chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's 2029 and 2030 options. Tracy is the 49th manager in Red Sox history after taking over on April 25 when Breslow fired Alex Cora. Boston was 10-17 at that point. With Tracy as the skipper, Boston has gone 74-55 and clinched a spot in the 2026 playoffs on Sunday. Tracy started 32-46 as the team entered play on June 25, but they turned in a 20-3 stretch that vaulted them into wild-card position. That insane stretch included 15 straight wins from July 3 through July 22, which tied for the longest win streak in club history. The Red Sox are currently in possession of the second American League wild-card spot and are likely to face the division-rival New York Yankees in the AL wild-card round for the second straight season at Yankee Stadium.
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Wilyer Abreu Returns to the Lineup on Sunday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (calf) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third for the Red Sox in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Athletics and right-hander J.T. Ginn at Fenway Park, per MLB.com. Abreu got a much-needed day off in Saturday's loss to the A's after he was dealing with swelling in his calf and shin following Friday night's game. He'll get a day off his feet as the DH in his return to action on Sunday against a pitcher he has yet to face in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to get the Venezuelan outfielder back in their starting lineups in traditional leagues with Abreu hitting .409 (9-for-22) with a 1.500 OPS, four home runs, a double, nine RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base so far in six games in August. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter is returning to a .256/.331/.462 slash line with a .793 OPS, 20 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs, and seven stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026 in his fourth year in the league with the Red Sox.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
