The Boston Red Sox introduction of Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida was literally just an appetizer for baseball super-agent Scott Boras on Thursday.
Well, this was remarkable: Boras wrapped up negotiations with the Yankees on Rodón while at Fenway Park and snacking on food provided by the Red Sox at the press conference to introduce Yoshida https://t.co/SkHXR63VzJ via @BostonGlobe
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 16, 2022
Scott Boras was munching on Red Sox-provided snacks while finishing off Carlos Rodón's deal with the Yankees.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 16, 2022
Solid gold from @alexspeier: pic.twitter.com/4KoNYtmo8M
It was reported last week that the Red Sox had agreed to a five-year deal with Yoshida. To make room for the 29-year-old, Boston designated former top prospect Jeter Downs for assignment.
While the addition of Yoshida could bring some firepower to manager Alex Cora's lineup, it's still been a mostly rough offseason for Red Sox Nation. They've supposedly been "in" on multiple big-time free agents in recent weeks but have instead seen many of the star prizes go elsewhere.
Last week's departure of star shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been the most bitter pill to swallow, though the Carlos Rodon news is another punch to the gut. It gives Boston's biggest rival -- the New York Yankees -- arguably the best starting rotation in baseball.
The Red Sox starting group, meanwhile, is filled with question marks. While there's still plenty of offseason left, the team's projected unit -- according to ESPN's Buster Olney -- consists of the injury-prone Chris Sale, the inconsistent Nick Pivetta and a trio of relatively unproven youngsters in Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock.
With most of the shiniest toys already off the shelves, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom has some catching up to do on his holiday shopping.
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