Masataka Yoshida thought he would sign for Toronto

The Boston Red Sox are undoubtedly proud to count on the services of Masataka Yoshida. After all, it performs well by hitting the trails often.

The one who has a certain power is well liked by its manager.

It will be remembered that the Red Sox granted him a $90 million contract over five years, or $18 million per campaign. It was a good amount this winter, we will remember.

In fact, many people in the industry thought it was too much and that the Sox had grossly overpaid the left fielder.

But since the World Classic and now that the regular season is on, let’s say the reviews are much less violent. They are even relatively non-existent.

It makes Boston fans happy.

But as you might expect, the Red Sox weren’t the only team chasing the Japanese, who hits from the left. Other clubs wanted to sign him.

At some point during the offseason, Yoshida even thought he was going to end up wearing the Blue Jays jersey. Obviously that didn’t happen.

That’s what he told Alex Cora.

We agree that for Boston, to see the player in a division rival would have been difficult. After all, not only is he good for Boston, but Toronto is just ahead of Boston in the East.

It would have hurt.

We do not know, in the end, why he chose to continue his journey elsewhere than in Toronto. Is it a question of money? Did the negotiations turn sour? Who knows.

Recall that the Blue Jays, a week after signing the outfielder in Boston, traded Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno for Daulton Varsho.

While I like what Varsho brings to both sides of the game, let’s just say trading both players for a big pitcher (if Yoshida had signed in Ontario) would have been more productive going forward.