Why the Red Sox offseason must include Mike Yastrzemski

The grandson of all-time Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski would seem to cause a glut in the outfield since the Red Sox have outfielders Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and potential superstar Roman Anthony. Yastrzemski would not seem to be any more vital than the team’s fifth outfielder if they were able to bring him into the fold.

However, the Red Sox have needs and opposing teams value several of the team’s players. Perhaps no player is more attractive than Duran, who has speed, power and the ability to make tough catches at multiple positions in the outfield. Duran had a brilliant season in 2024 when he won the Most Valuable Player Award in the All-Star game and he was also solid last year. He could bring in a legitimate starting pitcher ina trade.

Yastrzemski would be a solid fit as a fourth outfielder. Yastrzemski is a seven-year Major League veteran, having spent nearly all of his career on the West Coast with the San Francisco Giants before he was sent to the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline last year. He had a memorable start to his his career in 2019 when he belted 21 home runs and drove in 55 runs while slashing .272/.334/.518. Yaz also hit .297 with 10 home runs in the Covid-impacted 2020 season.

He has continued to be a productive player in the years that followed, although not quite at that level as his numbers have diminished a bit. However, Yastrzemski is a hard working hustler who leaves it all on the field on an every-game basis. He can play left field — like his grandfather — or do a solid job in right field.

Yastrzemski could be a rallying point for Red Sox

That may be the position that he sees the most action if the Red Sox bring him in. Abreu has had injury issues in the past — he was on the sidelines for 47 games last year — and he is somewhat inconsistent. He has excellent power when he is relaxed and on a hot streak, but he struck out 101 times last year. Abreu has won the Gold Glove each of the past two seasons, but that is largely due to his powerful arm. He will miss some fly balls that he should catch and having Rafaella next to him is a big advantage.

As the season plays along, Cora would find ways to get Yastrzemski at bats as an outfielder, designated hitter or pinch hitter. The Red Sox fans would love seeing a legacy player in uniform and making contributions. If the Red Sox bring in the right players in the offseason, the presence of Yastrzemski could be the cherry on top of the cake that leads to a most memorable season for Fenway denizens.